DUST, SPEED AND PURE RESPECT
STRADE BIANCHE 2025
After a four hour drive, we arrived in Siena, grabbed a quick lunch and started building the bikes. The plan for the afternoon was to do a photo shoot for a new kit, which we can’t show yet. We rode the hills around Siena and hit the white gravel roads, the famous Strade Bianche, where the race would take place. It was our first contact with the terrain we’d ride on Sunday. The day ended with a warm, golden Tuscan sunset, truly unforgettable.
Sportful social ride
Friday morning, we did a Sportful social ride where friends of the brand joined us for a quick spin. Afterward, we had an aperitivo and later went to the pro race presentation and picked up our bib numbers for Sunday’s race.
Jesse wanted a picture with Paolo Bettini doing the “shooting” pose he did when he won his second UCI World Championships title. Paolo stayed with us all weekend and he was really cool, he had no problem when Jesse asked. It was amazing to get to know this icon from cycling!
Saturday, a day to remember
Saturday was the BIG day. We started by watching the women’s race start. Then we followed a big part of the men’s race and ended the day in Siena, where Sportful had rented an apartment with the best views of the finish line.
We arrived at the paddock around 8 a.m., where the team buses were parked, and saw many of the women riders getting ready. It’s impressive to see all the infrastructure, cars, bikes, trainers, buses, organization vehicles, police, so many people and logistics. It’s also super cool to see in real life what you usually only see on TV, the riders, the bikes, the teams.
After the start, we quickly jumped into the van to head to our first viewing point of the men’s race. There were nerves, we had to get there before the roads were closed. The Sportful guys were driving fast, really fast, not just on tarmac, but also on the strade bianche sectors. That alone was an adventure.
It’s not unusual for it to rain this time of year in Tuscany, but this year there hadn’t been a drop in weeks. Everything was dry and there was A LOT of dust. If the race already looks wild on TV, seeing the pros ride at that speed in real life, with barely any visibility, is just mind-blowing. After witnessing that, I have a whole new level of respect for what these riders do.
We made a couple more stops before driving to Siena. Once we got to the apartment and stepped onto the balcony, we were stunned, we were literally 70 meters from the finish line. We had some food and watched the last kilometers on TV, right until we saw the winner, Tadej Pogačar, arrive at the Piazza del Campo, after a crash and a battle with Tom Pidcock. It was one of those moments when you realize you’re witnessing a little piece of cycling history.
Sunday, our turn on the gravel
Sunday was our turn. Once again, we were lucky with the weather, neither cold nor warm, just perfect for riding. The Strade Bianche Gran Fondo was 137 km with 2,400 m of elevation. Looking at the profile, it didn’t seem too bad, but the route was constantly up and down. There were barely any flat sections, and both the climbs and descents were short but steep.
I pushed hard in the first part and stayed with the front group for about 30 to 40 km. After the first climb, things stretched out, and I found myself riding in small groups. I gained positions on the downhills and gravel sectors but lost some on the climbs. I managed to hold a good pace until km 105, when my legs gave out. I had nothing left, so I cruised slowly to the finish line.
It was a different and super fun experience. The gravel sectors added a special joy to the race, they’re really technical on a road bike. At the finish line, I actually felt like I wanted even more kilometers of strade bianche, jajajaja.
Check out Max’s video to watch the GF Strade Bianche from the inside!
A week to remember
The whole week was amazing, not only because of the unique experience of living the Strade Bianche from the inside, but also the visit to the Sportful factory, where we got to learn more about the brand and the family we are now part of.
And, like I said before, the team just clicked instantly. That connection only grew stronger day by day. I can tell you, it’s not always like that.
When you join a new team, you might have expectations, but you never really know how it will go until you experience it. I’m really happy and proud to say that I’m part of this family, the Sportful family. I’m sure great things are coming our way.
THE LAST RIDE
After countless memories, amazing experiences and 11.353km, its time to say goodbye to this bike, my first ever Pinarello 🥹
This was the bikes last ride, the GF Strade Bianche and this is how it crossed the line in Siena, sprayed with the white dust from the iconic strade bianches in Tuscany!
text:
ApperStudio
photos:
ApperStudio
&
Sportful