Team Polti VisitMalta ready to take on the Strade Bianche

Tomorrow marks that moment of the season. The one when the peloton moves to one of the areas most deeply connected to Italy’s ancient tradition, Siena and its surroundings, to stir up the dust and immerse itself in stretches — rather, sectors — of past heroism. Once again, Team Polti VisitMalta has received an invitation to the grand ball — or perhaps we should say the Palio — of Italian and international cycling: Strade Bianche.

Of the 213 kilometers of racing, 82 will be on gravel. The central part of the route will already put fatigue into the riders’ legs, featuring the paved climb of Montalcino followed by four long gravel sectors in near-continuous succession, including the brand-new Serravalle and the iconic San Martino in Grania. Then, about 80 kilometers from the finish, comes the race’s toughest section: Monte Sante Marie, packed with relentless ups and downs. In the remaining journey, the most decisive moments will be the two back-to-back ascents of Colle Pinzuto and Le Tolfe — short but steep and punishing.

From 12 km to go the course will be all asphalt, but that doesn’t mean it will be easy. Right at the finish, in the heart of the Tuscan city, the last kilometer rises over cobbled streets leading into Piazza del Campo — the very same place where, in July and August, instead of road cyclists, horses and jockeys race on the tuff…

As for Strade Bianche (literally, White Roads) Polti VisitMalta will once again use 30mm Corsa PRO Control tubeless tires, ensuring the right balance of durability and grip without sacrificing smooth rolling. The lineup remains almost identical to the one that raced the Trofeo Laigueglia two days ago: the only change is Gabriele Raccagni replacing Davide Bais. Other than that, we’ll see Mattia Bais, Davide De Cassan, Javier Serrano, Alex Martín, Samuele Zoccarato and Diego Sevilla in action once again.

The sports director is also the same as in Laigueglia. Here’s what Stefano Zanatta had to say on the eve of the race: “Strade Bianche is our first WorldTour event of the season, a unique opportunity to showcase our identity on the global stage. We know we can’t compete with the very best, but we are equally aware of the experience that young riders will gain, the form of Zoccarato and Bais and the expertise of Martín and Sevilla in supporting them to the fullest.”