Human Powered Health is in Tuscany to battle across the famous gravel roads of Strade Bianche on March 8.
Thalita de Jong will take on the gravel for the first time in her career. The former cyclocross world champion will use these skills to good effect. She is joined by Ruth Edwards, who is racing her fifth edition, Barbara Malcotti, Yurani Blanco, Carlotta Cipressi, and Mona Mitterwallner.
The 136 km race’s name translates to ‘white roads’ and refers to the 13 stretches (one more than the previous edition) of gravel the riders take on. Known as the Southernmost Northern Classic, Strade is as tough as any cobble-laden race in Belgium and is about survival of the fittest.
There are nearly 40 kilometers of Tuscan gravel before the picturesque finale up the 700-meter Via Santa Caterina climb and its 16% pitches before finishing in Piazza del Campo. Bond fans will recognise the square from the opening scene of Quantum of Solace, although we don’t expect any parkour across the city roofs.
How to watch
USA and Canada
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Belgium
Sporza/RTBF | from 12:00 CET
Europe
Eurosport/Discovery+ | from 11:30 am CET
UK
TNT Sports/Discovery+ online | from 10:30 am GMT
Strade debutants Carlotta Cipressi and Mona Mitterwallner are readying themselves for their first crack at the white roads.
Mitterwallner, a 4-time world champion in mountain biking, is lining up in her third race of the year.
“Excitement would be an understatement. I’m buzzing,” Mitterwallner said of her first Strade. “I’m looking forward to being with a super strong team of riders and staff, and I hope to support them so we can finish in the front.”
The 23-year-old had her first road racing education at Setmana Valenciana last month.
“Starting my road racing career has been tough because of an early injury,” she explains. “I enjoyed gaining experience in Spain, though, and I’m looking forward to being back racing in better shape.”
Her first showing at WorldTour level will be a different kind of test for the Austrian.
“The profile looks brutal,” she says. “In mountain biking, it’s full gas from the very start, but it could be after ten minutes or two hours in road racing. That’s different, but one thing is for sure: there will be some kind of suffering. It’s my first WorldTour race, so I know it will be fast, but I’m super interested to see how I will race on gravel.”
Her teammate, Carlotta Cipressi, is equally as excited for her first WorldTour test in three years.
“As an Italian, this race means a lot,” says Cipressi. “Piazza del Campo is a really important square in Italy, where twice a year they do the Palio di Siena, a medieval-style horse race, so it is a precious city for our nation. It will be cool to ride into it.”
Cipressi is no stranger to gravel roads.
“Just thinking about the gravel makes me so excited,” says the 21-year-old. “You have to be prepared. I also tried it at home, and I use some gravel rides during the year in my training, but in a race, it is different. We will see, but I want to push 100% to help the team.”
Trofeo Oro in Euro
The team will race the 106.8 km hilly parcours around Cinquale at Trofeo Oro in Euro the following day. Silvia Zanardi and Giada Borghesi will replace Blanco and Cipressi in that race, which saw Edwards score third place in 2024.
Follow comprehensive coverage of both races on Instagram, Facebook and X.
