Long course 137.7 km – Short Course 87 km.
The course is twisty and undulating, with no extended climbs but with quite a few punchy bits, especially on the unpaved sections. There are more than 42 km of gravel roads across ten sectors.
The race starts near the Stadium/Fortezza Medicea in Siena. The first undulating kilometers on tarmac lead to the 2.1 km-long gravel sector 1, which is perfectly straight and slightly uphill.
Sector 2 (5.8 km) is just a few kilometres away; this will be the first tricky bit of the race, with a short descent followed by a long climb featuring sections over 12%. Upon reaching Radi, the route takes in the third gravel sector (4.4 km), shortly followed by sector 4 – named “La Piana” – which leads to Ponte d’Arbia, where, after a few hundred meters on the “Cassia,” riders will tackle the new Serravalle sector (9.3 km). This sector ends just before the start of the next one, San Martino in Grania (9.5 km), set amidst the Crete Senesi. It’s a long sector marked by a sequence of gentle undulations in its first part, and ending with a twisting climb that leads back to paved road.
Before reaching Castelnuovo Berardenga, the race turns towards Guistrigona, where the 7th gravel sector is located. This sector features a fast descent followed by an ascent, covering a total of just 1.1 km—a new addition to this edition. The 8th dirt road sector, Monteaperti, is only 800 m in length, but it greets the riders with double-digit gradients.
Past Pieve a Bozzone, sector 9 (2.4 km) comes next, on the climb toward Colle Pinzuto, with gradients peaking as high as 15%. After a few kilometers, the route features the tenth sector, Le Tolfe, (1.1 km), marked by a fast-running descent followed by a very punchy climb (with a maximum gradient of 18%).
Final kilometers
The final kilometers are the same as the men’s course.
Rinascente Firenze
Thanks to the partnership with Rinascente Florence, from February 24 to March 10, the charm of the Strade Bianche Grand Weekend will arrive in the heart of the Tuscan capital. The Rinascente storefronts will be dedicated to celebrating one of the most exclusive events on the global cycling calendar.
Quotes
Alessandro Fabbrini, Vice President of Estra: “For years now, the Gran Fondo Strade Bianche has established itself as an internationally renowned road cycling event. For the upcoming 2025 edition, Estra has chosen to associate its brand with the competition due to its historic connection with the Siena region, an ideal setting of beauty where the race originated and naturally took root. This partnership immediately appeared to us as both winning and compelling, promoting sustainable sports practices that blend the professionalism of cycling with the uniqueness of locations nestled in the Tuscan countryside. The course, with its daring mix of gravel roads and challenging inclines, encapsulates both the allure and the difficulty of the race”.
Paolo Bellino, Managing Director and General Manager of RCS Sports & Events: “The Strade Bianche weekend is one of the most anticipated globally, both for the two races on Saturday and the Gran Fondo on Sunday. During this weekend, Siena becomes the capital of cycling, and its beauty, broadcast worldwide, acquires incomparable media value. The figures prove it, with a steady rise in television audiences, reaching a total of 25 million viewers for both races, as well as in the Digital universe. Strade Bianche and Strade Bianche Women Elite are treasures of national and global cycling, on a par with the great Monument Classics. Two thrilling and highly coveted challenges, thanks to stunning landscapes and exceptional routes—the same routes that will be taken the following day by countless enthusiasts from around the world. A great opportunity that Siena has seized and will renew once again for 2025”.
Nicoletta Fabio, Mayor of Siena: “This is an extraordinary opportunity for our territory and for the history of our city. Cycling is a sector that promotes not only sports but also tourism and the local economy, helping to introduce our city and traditions to an international audience. Through sport, we have the chance to promote and showcase our historical, cultural and environmental heritage. It’s a unique opportunity to go beyond our borders and connect with a global audience. A special thanks to the RCS team who, once again, together with the City Council, our offices, and the Department of Sports, managed to organize an event of international level capable of attracting sports enthusiasts and others from all over the world”.
Lorenzo Lorè, Councillor for sports of the Municipality of Siena: “The city is ready to welcome athletes, enthusiasts and tourists for a weekend of sports and excitement, which only the Strade Bianche can provide. This event, which has now become a traditional fixture for our city, continues to be confirmed as a winning format, as demonstrated by the consistently growing numbers. We are thrilled with the confirmations of attendance, not only from Italy but also from the many fans from all over Europe who choose our city to experience one of the most beloved Classics on the cycling calendar. Once again, the finish in Piazza del Campo is bound to excite us and keep us on the edge of our seats. In addition to the warmth of the many spectators, we hope that all of Siena and the territories crossed by the race will warmly and enthusiastically embrace this great event, which will once again offer all cycling fans a unique show”.
Paolo Bettini: “As a rider, I had the misfortune of being able to participate in this race only once, but looking back, I am certain it would have been one of my seasonal goals. In recent years, I’ve often enjoyed revisiting these roads during the Gran Fondo, a spectacular event where it’s wonderful to ride alongside cycling enthusiasts from all over the world. A big shout-out also goes to Sportful for creating high-quality apparel for this occasion”.
Luca Onofrio, Head of Mass Events at RCS Sports & Events: “We are proud to welcome Estra as the Title Sponsor of the Gran Fondo Strade Bianche: a major local company that has chosen to associate its name with an event strongly tied to the territory, promoting the image of Siena and its surroundings to the world. This edition will once again see incredible participation, with 6,500 registrants in just four hours, over 30% of whom are from abroad, confirming that this event has become unmissable for its category”.
