Siena, Italy – EF Education-EasyPost and EF Education-Oatly are set to tackle the challenging white gravel roads of Strade Bianche this Saturday, March 7, 2026, with powerful lineups aiming for victory in the iconic Italian classic. The teams boast a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, all eager to exit their mark on one of cycling’s most picturesque and demanding races.
Strade Bianche, known for its grueling terrain and stunning Tuscan landscapes, has become a highlight of the early-season cycling calendar. The race, steeped in history, retraces routes once ridden by cycling legends like Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali. This year’s edition promises a fierce battle, with riders facing 81.7 kilometers of sterrato – white gravel roads – in the men’s 213-kilometer race and 63.6 kilometers in the women’s 136-kilometer event. The challenging course demands not only physical strength but too technical skill and tactical awareness.
Men’s Team: Carapaz Leads EF Education-EasyPost
Richard Carapaz will spearhead the EF Education-EasyPost team, marking his fifth attempt at conquering Strade Bianche. He will be supported by a strong squad including Ben Healy, Mikkel Honoré, Vincenzo Albanese, Lukas Nerurkar, James Shaw, and Michael Valgren. Carapaz, reflecting on the race, stated, “Strade is a race I really like as it reminds me of my beginnings when I started out…It is a world-class race, one of the best classics.” He acknowledged past difficulties, adding, “In past times, I haven’t had good fortune here, but whenever I come here, I do it with all the excitement of the moment.”
Healy, who had a strong showing in Siena last year, is also expected to play a key role. Carapaz highlighted Healy’s form, saying, “Ben is in really good form and he has done well in this race in previous years. I will endeavor to contribute as much as I can and if I get a chance, I will try to make it my own.” The team aims to capitalize on its collective experience and strength to challenge for the win. According to Cycling Up To Date, Carapaz is prepared to challenge the pre-race favorite, Tadej Pogacar.
Women’s Team: Kerbaol and Vallieres Aim for Success
The EF Education-Oatly team will be led by Cédrine Kerbaol and Magdeleine Vallieres, with support from Nina Berton, Henrietta Christie, Alexis Magner, and Noemi Rüegg. Kerbaol emphasized the unique challenges of Strade Bianche, noting, “Strade is very special…You need to put down power. You need to be good technically.” She also acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the race, stating, “Notice so many factors you can’t control in this race.” Vallieres, racing with the rainbow jersey, expressed the team’s ambition: “For sure we want to win. That is always the goal.”
Noemi Rüegg, building form after a strong start to the season in Australia, is eager to return to the dirt roads, recalling her cyclocross background. “It reminds me a bit of my cyclocross career from a few years ago,” she said. Rüegg highlighted the team’s strength in numbers, stating, “Our strength is that we have a lot of strong riders in one team. We’re equally strong. We have many strong girls.”
Ben Healy described the race as an “absolute slog,” emphasizing the need for conservative racing and a strong finish. He noted the growing popularity of the event, stating, “Strade is just becoming more and more iconic with more fans, more noise.”
The EF teams are prepared for a demanding race, with riders focused on navigating the challenging terrain and capitalizing on opportunities as they arise. The combination of experienced riders and emerging talent positions both squads as contenders for success in this prestigious Italian classic.
Following Strade Bianche, Richard Carapaz is scheduled to compete in Tirreno-Adriatico (March 9, 2026) and Milano-Torino (March 18, 2026), according to ProCyclingStats. The teams will undoubtedly analyze their performance in Tuscany as they prepare for the challenges ahead in the spring classics season.
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