His jersey torn to shreds, a red mark on his shoulder the size of a handball, his left leg covered in abrasions: Tadej Pogačar made his mark on the history of Strade Bianche in dramatic fashion on Saturday. The Slovenian rode to his third triumph on the 'white roads' in Tuscany after 2022 and 2024, but it was a painful victory. 50 kilometres before the finish, the reigning road world champion misjudged a left-hand bend, skidded across the road and landed in a meadow with blackberry bushes.
Luck in misfortune, you could say. On the one hand, Pogačar did not suffer any major injuries, and on the other hand, this enabled him to jump straight back onto his Colnago racing bike and take up the chase of Thomas Pidcock and Connor Swift, who had previously been at the front of the race with him.
What followed was an impressive demonstration of power. Pogačar left Swift standing and caught up with Pidcock. In the penultimate gravel sector - Colle Pinzuto - the Olympic mountain bike champion also ran out of steam. The Briton had to let Pogačar go in the penultimate sector, who then rode unchallenged to victory.
Strade Bianche 2025 results
Strade Bianche: Siena - Siena
Strade Bianche 2025: Strade Bianche, Siena - Siena
| Rnk. | Riders | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | UAE Team Emirates - XRG | 05:13:58 |
| 2 | Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team | +000:01:24 |
| 3 | UAE Team Emirates - XRG | +000:02:12 |
| 4 | EF Education - EasyPost | +000:03:23 |
| 5 | Bahrain - Victorious | +000:04:20 |
| 6 | Uno-X Mobility | +000:04:26 |
The Strade Bianche Donne women's race was more evenly matched. Although the top favourite, Demi Vollering, prevailed in the end, the Dutchwoman had to fight hard for her second triumph in Siena after 2023, especially with her compatriot Anna van der Breggen. The 34-year-old comebacker pushed her compatriot all the way into the lanes of Siena. Only then did van der Breggen Vollering have to concede.
Results Strade Bianche Donne 2025
Strade Bianche Donne: Siena - Siena
Strade Bianche Donne 2025: Strade Bianche Donne, Siena - Siena
| Rnk. | Riders | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FDJ - SUEZ | 03:49:04 |
| 2 | Team SD Worx - Protime | +00:00:18 |
| 3 | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | +00:01:42 |
| 4 | FDJ - SUEZ | +00:01:42 |
| 5 | Liv AlUla Jayco | +00:01:47 |
| 6 | Fenix-Deceuninck | +00:01:48 |
Both races had one thing in common: spectacular photos. The combination of gravel, frenetic fans and magnificent scenery provides unique snapshots every year at Strade Bianche. We have put together a selection of them in our picture gallery.
