Strade Bianche 2016: Favourites

Strade Bianche is a fascinating mix of unpaved roads and short steep climbs. It doesn't happen often Stybar, Valverde and Van Avermaet are among the favourites in the same race, but in the modern Classic in Toscany it is an obvious fact. Cyclingstage.com brings you the major contenders in the 2016 Strade Banche. (Slideshow route/profile)

Last year, those three riders stood on the podium in Senna, while edition 2014 saw Michal Kwiatkowski solo to victory, besting Peter Sagan and Alejandro Valverde. Fabian Cancellara is the only rider to win Strade Bianche twice. Both in 2008 and 2012 the Swiss powered to victory.

It might be early in the season, Greg Van Avermaet and Peter Sagan are already in good shape as was proven last week in Omloop het Nieuwsblad in Belgium. Van Avermaet outsprinted the World Champion on the line after a strong performance by both in the breakaway. Being in the finale break also, 21-Year old Tiesj Benoot was another eminent racer: he finished third.

The race in the Toscan hills leads for almost 53 kilometres (out of a total of 176 kilometres) over unpaved roads. Sure, to win you have to be a good climber, but just as important is: handling your bike to perfection.

Favourites Strade Bianche 2016:

*** Peter Sagan, Zdenek Stybar, Greg Van Avermaet
** Alejandro Valverde, Fabian Cancellara, Tiesj Benoot
* Vincenzo Nibali, Diego Ulissi, Alessandro De Marchi