Strade Bianche Gran Fondo

The Strade Bianche Gran Fondo takes you through the heart of Tuscany on the legendary white gravel roads — the strade bianche — that make this one of cycling's most iconic events. Starting and finishing in Siena's breathtaking Piazza del Campo, the 130 km route winds through rolling hills, medieval villages and stretches of unpaved white clay that test both your bike handling and your legs. The constant alternation between tarmac and gravel sectors demands versatility: you need power to push through the loose surfaces, endurance to handle 1,900 m of climbing, and the technical confidence to stay smooth when the road turns rough. Late-season fitness and the ability to sustain effort on varied terrain are essential. Training should focus on building a strong aerobic base with specific sessions on mixed surfaces. Include tempo efforts on gravel or dirt roads to develop comfort at race pace on loose terrain, and practice climbing at threshold on gradients similar to the Tuscan hills. Brick sessions that alternate between smooth and rough surfaces will prepare your body for the constant changes the course demands.