Preview Strade Bianche women 2025 | Vollering vs Van der Breggen, or is the top favorite Italian?
Cycling
Follow IDL Pro Cycling on Google
Stay up to date with the best cycling news by making us a preferred source on Google.
Follow us on GoogleIn contrast to the men, the women's starting list for Strade Bianche is once again very competitive. All the top riders in the peloton will be there again on Saturday, except for the world champion. Defending champion Lotte Kopecky will not be participating, so we will have a new winner and a tremendous battle between women. IDLProCycling.com gives you a preview.
ADVERTISEMENT
The fact that different riders have won Strade Bianche in recent years says a lot about the difficulty of this race and the increasingly broad range of top riders in the world. Kopecky arrived solo last year, but the year before, she lost in a sprint to her then-teammate Demi Vollering. Kopecky, in turn, won in 2022, while Chantal van den Broek-Blaak was the best in 2021. Some other name could easily be at the top of the podium on Saturday.
Because several things have changed in the women's peloton this winter, Vollering left SD Worx-Protime, where Anna van der Breggen, the outgoing leader, had just returned as a rider. Elisa Longo Borghini left Lidl-Trek for UAE Team ADQ, but Lidl picked up Riejanne Markus and Anna Henderson as new stars at Visma | Lease a Bike, which in turn shows off their leader, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, who switched from mountain biking.
When we leave early on Saturday morning, all of them will be at the start. Unlike the Flemish races, the women in Italy finish before the men, so it is early in the morning. I'm sure it will be fine, as the adrenaline of this gravel race usually excites many fans.
Practical information Strade Bianche women 2025
- Siena - Siena (136 km)
- Saturday, March 8, 2025
- Participants
- Classification: WWT
In this article
- Latest winners
- Course, weather and times
- Favorites
- TV information
Latest winners of Strade Bianche
2024: Lotte Kopecky
2023: Demi Vollering
2022: Lotte Kopecky
2021: Chantal Van den Broek-Blaak
2020: Annemiek van Vleuten
2019: Annemiek van Vleuten
2018: Anna van der Breggen
2017: Elisa Longo-Borghini
2016: Lizzie Deignan
2015: Megan Guarnier
2023: Demi Vollering
2022: Lotte Kopecky
2021: Chantal Van den Broek-Blaak
2020: Annemiek van Vleuten
2019: Annemiek van Vleuten
2018: Anna van der Breggen
2017: Elisa Longo-Borghini
2016: Lizzie Deignan
2015: Megan Guarnier
Course, weather and times Strade Bianche 2025 - elite women
The women's Strade Bianche has been legendary for years, and the organization hasn't changed its course since last year. The distance of 136 kilometers remains virtually the same as in the years before 2024, but just like the men, the ladies will do two final laps, with the Colle Pinzuto and Le Tolfe as the final hurdles. The finish line is in the Piazza del Campo in Siena, just as it is for the men.
So, what are the differences between the men's and women's routes? In addition to the length, the women will have fewer gravel strips. The opening phase is the same, but where the men turn right at Ponte d'Arbia for an extra loop with two gravel strips, the women continue straight ahead. This means that the San Martino in Grania will be the sixth gravel strip of the day for the women and the eighth for the men.
After this long stretch, the women turn left toward Arbia, thus making a loop around the notorious Monte Sante Marie. The men so fear this stretch because exciting things can happen there. For the women, this usually happens 'only' in the final stretch so that we will make two short laps this time. The route is the same as for the men, just as after the second time, we turn left at Le Tolfe towards Siena, where the feared and extremely steep approach to the Piazza del Campo awaits.
Weather:
Spring has arrived in Italy. After weeks of rain and wind, it has been sunny since Monday, and temperatures are expected to rise to under 20 degrees during the week. This is fantastic racing weather, especially since the wind will not play a role on Saturday. Therefore, the mud on the sections will have plenty of time to dry, turning Saturday's race into a dusty affair.
Spring has arrived in Italy. After weeks of rain and wind, it has been sunny since Monday, and temperatures are expected to rise to under 20 degrees during the week. This is fantastic racing weather, especially since the wind will not play a role on Saturday. Therefore, the mud on the sections will have plenty of time to dry, turning Saturday's race into a dusty affair.
Times:
Start: 03:50 AM EST
Finish: around 07:44 AM EST
Start: 03:50 AM EST
Finish: around 07:44 AM EST
Check below again our exploration of the Monte Sante Marie strip, from 2024. A strip that is not included in the women's race.
Favorites Strade Bianche 2025 - elite women
The top of the women's field is more diverse, but not all can win the Strade Bianche. That much is clear, especially now that almost all the best riders are here. Starting with Demi Vollering, the leader of FDJ-SUEZ, who rode away from the rest in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. She did so with Puck Pieterse of Fenix-Deceuninck on her wheel, the second name to mention.
The duo was strong in Flanders, but Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE) and Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime) did not participate. The Italian won the UAE Tour and has not been seen since. How good is Longo Borghini in front of her home crowd in the race she would love to win one day? Van der Breggen already showed she is up to the task in a direct battle with Vollering in the Tour of Valencia. But can she also do well in such a tough race?
Read more below the photo.
In Omloop Het Niuewsblad, Vollering attacked impressively hard
Don't focus only on these four names because a few women have made the Tuscan gravel race their primary goal. Olympic champion Kristen Faulkner has already proven herself several times in Strade Bianche and will go for the win on Saturday on behalf of EF. Pauline Ferrand-Prévot also dreams of this for her new team, Visma | Lease a Bike. The French rider will have a slight advantage with her mountain bike experience.
Looking further down the list, we come across the established names who never disappoint. Kasia Niewiadoma and her new teammate Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (Canyon//SRAM) usually do well in Tuscany, and Juliette Labous, Vollering's teammate at FDJ-SUEZ, is also a dangerous competitor. Pieterse, in turn, can count on the Dutch Fenix trident, including Yara Kastelijn and Paulina Rooijakkers.
Read more below the photo.
Tour winner Niewiadoma is there!
As mentioned, Lidl-Trek has a strong team, with newcomers Riejanne Markus and Anna Henderson, as well as the strong Niamh Fisher-Black (transferred from SD Worx). Movistar has always had a strong leader in Liane Lippert, now supported by Marlen Reusser. Van der Breggen has a luxury domestique with Mischa Bredewold at her side, just as Silvia Persico has that with UAE, of course, next to Longo Borghini.
How about a quick list of outsiders? Let's do it! How good is the clever Mavi Garcia from Liv AlUla Jayco, for example? Moreover, Marta Cavalli is coming back to life at Picnic-PostNL after years of mental and physical setbacks. If only she could find her old legs again...
Data powered by FirstCycling.com
Who are the favorites for Strade Bianche 2025, according to IDLProCycling.com?
Top favorites: Demi Vollering (FDJ-SUEZ) and Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ)
Outsiders: Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck), Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime), Kristen Faulkner (EF Education-Oatly), Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Visma | Lease a Bike) and Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon//SRAM)
Long shots: Riejanne Markus (Lidl-Trek), Liane Lippert and Marlen Reusser (Movistar), Mischa Bredewold (SD Worx-Protime), Silvia Persico (UAE Team ADQ), Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (Canyon//SRAM), Juliette Labous (Picnic-PostNL) and Paulina Rooijakkers (Fenix-Deceuninck)
Outsiders: Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck), Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime), Kristen Faulkner (EF Education-Oatly), Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Visma | Lease a Bike) and Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon//SRAM)
Long shots: Riejanne Markus (Lidl-Trek), Liane Lippert and Marlen Reusser (Movistar), Mischa Bredewold (SD Worx-Protime), Silvia Persico (UAE Team ADQ), Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (Canyon//SRAM), Juliette Labous (Picnic-PostNL) and Paulina Rooijakkers (Fenix-Deceuninck)
TV Strade Bianche 2025
As in previous editions, the organization has planned the women's race before and not after the men's. This means we will see the entire women's final live on TV. Eurosport will broadcast the race from 05:45 AM EST on Eurosport 1 and HBO Max.
Bram van der Ploeg (Twitter: @BvdPloegg | email: [email protected])
Read also
Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
IDL-productions
Celia Gery won the European cyclocross championship while awaiting surgery: 'It'll be a new beginning'
Dutch team coach De Knegt annoyed by European Cyclocross Championships dispute: "A bit of a let down"
Glasgow set to shine as World Cup demand outstrips expectations and Mason eyes first home cyclocross race
Pogačar, Vingegaard and Van Aert went faster again in 2026... except when they didn't
Team GB dominate, China on the rise, Lavreysen the best ever? Five takeaways from the 2026 Track World Championships
Latest Cycling News
Cycling transfers 2026/2027 | Cycling transfer market still in full swing in November
Tadej Pogačar reveals his insane training data in new HBO film: 'I think that's what works best'
Vacek criticises Juan Ayuso's poor start at Lidl-Trek: 'Even the slightest mental lapse'
Sir Chris Hoy shares an update about living with stage four cancer: 'I'm doing pretty well really'
Primoz Roglic's contract options continue to shrink, but a surprise new team enters the conversation
Popular Cycling News
Cycling transfers 2026/2027 | Cycling transfer market still in full swing in November
Sven Nys spoke with Lucinda Brand straight after European Championship drama: 'Is that enough to ultimately relegate someone'
Fears of serious injury to Alvarado, bronze medalist, after the European Cyclocross Championships
Tadej Pogačar reveals his insane training data in new HBO film: 'I think that's what works best'
Disqualified Schreiber skips European Championship podium: 'I’m very grateful that she said that'
Latest Comments
- Does XEFI’s investment mean the team will have more money to sign riders, or is it mainly a sponsorship and naming change? And is Roglič expected to race much next season?jeremya11-11-2026
- If the roster is nearly complete, why bring up Roglič at all? Feels like the article is turning a firm “no” into a transfer rumour.andrewf11-11-2026
- Wuling is no joke—105 km of climbing to 3,275 metres is brutal. Five minutes off Dyball’s record is still an incredible ride.velodromevirtuoso111-11-2026
- Roglič at TotalEnergies would be a fascinating move, but Heulot sounds pretty clear that it isn’t happening. His experience could be a massive boost for the younger riders, though.jennifer1911-11-2026
- Eight riders told to go for stages, and nobody gets one—hard to know what the plan was there. It’ll be interesting to see whether they pick a clear leader next time.bikebuffj10-11-2026
- Was Bernal’s 20th place really their best GC result? I thought he might have finished higher. Either way, it sounds like a rough Tour for the whole team.gearguru3310-11-2026
- Five days in breaks with no stage win is a painful stat. The team had chances, but they need to turn those opportunities into results.julien10-11-2026
- The Onley Vuelta example makes sense: a team with someone to rally around often looks much more cohesive. Hopefully INEOS can build on that rather than expecting a quick return to the Sky years.cadencekingm10-11-2026
- Thomas is right about the ambiguity. Eight riders all chasing stages can end up pulling in different directions, even if nobody’s deliberately working against anyone. They need a clearer plan once the GC leaders are out.robert6510-11-2026
- What a mess. The report makes it sound as though nobody properly explained the decision, and that’s hard to defend.jennifer1910-11-2026