Siena, Italy – Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates delivered a dominant performance to win the 19th edition of the Strade Bianche, conquering a record-breaking 81.7 kilometers of Tuscany's iconic white gravel roads. This year's race, stretching 213 kilometers from and to Siena, proved to be one of the most challenging in its history, featuring 16 treacherous gravel sectors.
The race was marked by dramatic shifts and relentless attrition. Pogacar, the reigning World Champion, showcased his exceptional skill and resilience, becoming only the second rider after Fabian Cancellara to win the Strade Bianche three times. His victory, achieved despite a heavy crash 50 kilometers from the finish, solidified his status as a cycling legend.
Bahrain Victorious faced an early setback with the withdrawal of Matej Mohorič due to illness. However, Pello Bilbao rose to the occasion, delivering a remarkable ride to secure fifth place, matching Mohorič's result from the previous year. Bilbao finished just over four minutes behind Pogacar, demonstrating his strength and tactical acumen.
The decisive moments unfolded in the latter stages of the race. Pogacar and Tom Pidcock (Q365 Pro Cycling Team), the 2023 winner, surged ahead, leaving a select group to battle for the remaining podium positions. Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates) launched a decisive attack, breaking away from Bilbao, Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost), and Roger Adria (BORA-hansgrohe) to claim third place.
The iconic finish in Siena's Piazza del Campo witnessed Bilbao's determined effort to secure fifth, surpassing Healy. This result marks Bilbao's fourth top-ten finish in as many appearances at the Strade Bianche, cementing his affinity for the Italian classic.
"It was a crazy race, and I really enjoyed it," Bilbao said. "Once you're at the front of this race, you enjoy it very much. I was in the game for all 213 kilometers. It was a super intense day, and I was trying to improve my position every time. I had to put my foot down three or four times because of crashes, but I always tried to come back and never give up. I kept telling myself that the race was long and that I needed to play it smart, find riders to collaborate with, and we did our best. It was impossible to fight for the podium. In the Sante Marie sector, they went, and I couldn't follow that pace, but I was able to organize a good group behind and always tried to make moves to stay in contention. I found Roger there, and he has a lot of class. We understood each other and arrived at the finish together."
Bilbao also expressed regret over Mohorič's absence, stating, "It's a pity Matej wasn't there. It would have been much easier because I was alone, but I'm happy with fifth place today."
Sports Director Gorazd Štangelj praised Bilbao's performance, saying, "Considering that we were without Matej, a key competitor and the most experienced, our chances were significantly reduced. We can be happy that our sole leader didn't have any problems. In this race, even a small issue can lead to withdrawal. The strategy changed this morning, focusing entirely on Pello. He received excellent support in the first half of the race. After the selection, he managed well on his own, finding strong allies in Roger and Ben. We're happy with the outcome, but we couldn't have expected more. Pello is known for giving 100% in every situation, and he did that today."
The 2025 Strade Bianche will be remembered for its unprecedented difficulty and the exceptional performances of Pogacar and Bilbao, among others, who battled through the challenging terrain to deliver a thrilling spectacle for cycling fans worldwide.
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