The Strade Bianche 2026 brings the world's best riders to the legendary white gravel 'strade bianche' roads of Tuscany on March 7, 2026.
This marks the 20th men's edition and the 12th women's edition, and both have the potential to make history as the men's and women's favourites could both take record-breaking wins.
Whether you're at home or abroad, here's how to watch live – with all official TV channels, legitimate free streams, and a simple way to keep access to your home subscription securely through a VPN while travelling.
Strade Bianche 2026 Race Times
Saturday 7 March 2026
| Timezone | Strade Bianche Donne Start | Strade Bianche Donne Finish (Est.) | Strade Bianche Men Start | Strade Bianche Men Finish (Est.) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local | CET / UTC+1 | 10:20 | 14:00 | 11:45 | 16:00 |
The key moments to tune in
In the men's race, the decisive selection usually begins on the long Monte Sante Marie sector - around 90 minutes before race finish - where steep gravel gradients and puncture risk often split the favourites.
In the women's race, organisers have concentrated the difficulty into the closing loop around Siena, meaning the last hour is where most of the action will take place.
Race Favourites
The 2026 Strade Bianche promises two fiercely contested races across Tuscany’s gravel roads, with both events shaped by courses designed to reward sustained aggression rather than a single decisive attack.
In the men’s race, three-time winner Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates XRG) starts as the clear favourite after dominating recent editions with long-range attacks. Challengers such as Tom Pidcock, Wout van Aert and Ben Healy will need to force the race open across sectors like Monte Sante Marie and Colle Pinzuto if they are to disrupt UAE’s control before the brutal Via Santa Caterina finale in Siena.
The women’s race centres on a compelling rivalry between Demi Vollering and Lotte Kopecky, who are both chasing a record third title. A redesigned finale with repeated passages of Colle Pinzuto and Le Tolfe could prove decisive, favouring punchy climbers capable of repeated accelerations before the steep ramp into the Piazza del Campo.
You can read more about the men's favourites and women's favourites in our full previews.
How to watch Strade Bianche
Broadcasting rights for this RCS Sport classic are split across several premium and free-to-air networks globally.
You can read more about the regional disparity of cycling broadcasting in our deep dive into watching the Spring Classics. You can find the specific provider for your region in the table below.
Live Streaming Coverage by Region
| Region | Broadcaster | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Australia | SBS / SBS On Demand | Free | The best free English language coverage globally. |
Italy | RAI / RAI Play | Free | The local host broadcaster with extensive live coverage. |
Belgium | Sporza / RTBF | Free | Comprehensive coverage in Dutch and French. |
United Kingdom | TNT Sports / Discovery+ | £30.99/mo | Includes every classic via the Discovery+ app. |
United States | HBO Max | $18.99/mo | New home for RCS races in the US for 2026. |
Canada | FloBikes | $150/year | Exclusive home for most major classics in Canada. |
Netherlands | NOS | Free | Live coverage usually available on NPO channels. |
France | Eurosport | Varies | Standard pan-European coverage with expert commentary. |
Watching Strade Bianche in the USA
US fans were quick to note that Strade Bianche was not on the HBOMax program as recently as a few days ago. However, the race is now confirmed as scheduled on the US streaming platform.
Legal Free Streams
Velora tip: Several countries offer free-to-air official coverage of the Strade Bianche. Certain national broadcasters show the race live for free — entirely legally:
- Australia: SBS On Demand
- Italy: RAI Play
- Belgium: Sporza (VRT) or RTBF
You can safely access your usual services abroad via a trusted VPN – without breaking any rules. If you're abroad, you can connect via VPN to your home country to access these official, legal feeds – just as if you were at home.
Using a VPN Legally While Travelling
Broadcasters often limit streams to home viewers. If you're travelling, a VPN lets you securely connect to your home network – so you can keep watching your existing paid or free account from abroad.
Velora Choice: NordVPN
Use a secure VPN connection to watch cycling on your existing subscription services or free streams while you’re away from home. Always follow local laws and your provider’s terms of use.
Our editorial team uses NordVPN by choice, we all purchased it independently to watch cycling races wherever we are.
- 8,400+ VPN servers covering 167+ locations
- One of the fastest VPNs on the market
- Protection from surveillance & cyberthreats
- Use NordVPN on up to 10 devices
How to do it:
- Download Nord VPN – our recommended VPN for streaming while travelling.
- Connect to your home country (e.g., Australia for SBS or Italy for RAI).
- Open your usual broadcaster's site or app and start watching safely.
Velora never endorses bypassing broadcast rights.
A VPN should only be used to access official services – whether paid or free-to-air – while abroad.
Always use legitimate platforms. Unofficial streams often breach copyright and expose viewers to malware or fake ads.
Why the Strade Bianche Matters
Strade Bianche has rapidly become one of the most prestigious races on the calendar, with many arguing it deserves 'Monument' status. The combination of white gravel, rolling Tuscan hills, and the finish in Siena's Piazza del Campo differs from other WorldTour events. It requires a rare blend of power, bike handling, and tactical patience.
Quick Recap
- Watch live via official broadcasters (Discovery+, etc.)
- Access free and legal coverage via SBS, RAI Play, and Sporza
- Travelling abroad? Use a VPN to keep access to your home subscription safely
- Avoid illegal or pirate streams — they're unsafe and breach copyright
Watch the Strade Bianche live, free (where available), and securely — wherever you are.
Velora Choice: NordVPN
Use a secure VPN connection to watch cycling on your existing subscription services or free streams while you’re away from home. Always follow local laws and your provider’s terms of use.
Get NordVPN - Special OfferFAQ
Velora only promotes VPN use to maintain access to legitimate, paid, or free-to-air services while abroad.
Cover image credit: Zac Williams/SWpix.com
