Stage 2: Strade Bianche Gran Fondo
| Stage | 2 |
|---|---|
| Type | Road Stage |
| Date | Sunday 8 March 2026 |
| Route | Siena → Siena |
| Distance | 138 km |
Gran Fondo Strade Bianche 2026
The day after the professionals race into Siena, the roads open again.
Thousands of riders gather at the Fortezza Medicea and roll out into the Tuscan countryside. The same gravel sectors. The same rolling hills. The same finish in Piazza del Campo.
This is not a simulation. It is the same terrain.
The Routes
Gran Fondo Course
Approximately 137.7 kilometres
Approximately 42.6 kilometres of gravel
Around 10 gravel sectors
Start at the Fortezza Medicea in Siena
Finish in Piazza del Campo
The longer route is relentless rather than mountainous. Short climbs. Frequent transitions from tarmac to gravel. A rhythm that demands patience and control.
Medio Fondo Course
Approximately 87 kilometres
Includes gravel sectors
Start and finish in Siena
The shorter option offers a more accessible distance while retaining the defining white road experience.
Start and Timing
The Medio Fondo typically departs earlier in the morning, followed by the Gran Fondo start.
Exact start times and operational details are confirmed by organisers closer to the event.
Terrain and Conditions
The Tuscan countryside rolls without pause.
Vineyards. Olive groves. Open ridgelines.
The sterrato sectors vary in length and surface condition. In dry weather they are fast and dusty. In wet weather they demand careful handling.
Managing effort across shifting surfaces is part of the challenge.
Event Notes
- Open amateur event
- Finish in Piazza del Campo
- Public registration for 2026 sold out through the main entry window
- Many riders secure places through official allocations and partner programs.
What Stays With You
The gravel hum under your tyres. The sound of breath on the climbs. The final right-hand turn into Piazza del Campo. Strade Bianche is not just a race weekend. It is a landscape you move through. And on Sunday, it moves back through you.
Talk to our team