By the time the peloton rolls out from the Fortezza Medicea in Siena, the European season is already in full swing, yet few races carry the unique prestige and unpredictability of Strade Bianche.
There is something different about this race. The white roads of Tuscany demand constant attention. The rhythm rarely settles. Gravel sectors interrupt the flow, short steep climbs sting the legs, and positioning becomes just as decisive as strength. It is a race where preparation meets instinct, and sometimes luck.
Strade Bianche has quickly become one of the most iconic one-day races on the calendar. Not because of extreme altitude or distance, but because of the tension it builds from start to finish. Every sector has the potential to shape the outcome, and every mistake can be costly.
This year, the team lines up with George Bennett, Pier-André Côté, Pau Martí, Krists Neilands, Alessandro Pinarello, Nick Schultz, and Floris Van Tricht, a group that combines climbing depth, experience, and riders capable of handling demanding terrain.
For Pinarello, Strade Bianche is one of the standout races of the early season.
“I think Strade is one of the most important races on the calendar,” he said. “It’s very different because of the gravel sectors. The race is hard on the climbs, and it can also be dangerous with crashes or punctures.”
That unpredictability defines the day. Strong legs are essential, but rarely enough on their own.
“You need good legs, but you also need a bit of luck,” Pinarello added. “If I have the legs to finish in the top 20, that would already be a very good result.”
Sports Director Pat McCarty highlighted the particular demands of the Tuscan classic.
“Obviously, Strade is a very special race and a very difficult one,” he explained. “The unique conditions make for a tough day. They have removed two sectors from the 2025 version, which could slightly change the cadence of the pre-final, but ultimately it will still be a typical and demanding Strade.”
With potential changes to how the race develops before the finale, flexibility will be important.
“For us, we’ll have a more open strategy,” McCarty continued. “We want to be present in earlier breakaways if the opportunity is right, but also keep riders in reserve for a more traditional final. If we can have two or three riders on a strong day, and have a clean race, then we’ll be happy to see how far they can go.”
In a race where positioning, resilience and composure matter as much as power, collective execution becomes decisive. By the time the riders face the final steep ascent into Siena’s Piazza del Campo, only those who have managed both the physical effort and the constant tension remain in contention.
Strade Bianche rewards clarity, courage and unity. Saturday in Tuscany will once again test all three.
NSN Cycling Team at Strade Bianche (Saturday 7 March)
Riders: George Bennett (NZL), Pier-André Côté (CAN), Pau Martí (ESP), Krists Neilands (LAT), Alessandro Pinarello (ITA), Nick Schultz (AUS), Floris Van Tricht (BEL)
Sports Directors: Pat McCarty (USA), Francesco Frassi (ITA), Sam Bewley (NZL)