WorldTour
Dust and Determination: Vermeersch Fifth at Strade Bianche
Gianni Vermeersch takes fifth in Siena after a selective Strade Bianche.
White roads, dust hanging in the air, and over 200 kilometres of racing across Tuscany once again produced a demanding edition of Strade Bianche. The modern classic, raced across the region’s famous sterrato roads, remains one of the most distinctive one-day races on the calendar. For Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe, the race unfolded through early aggression and persistence in the finale, culminating in a strong fifth place for Gianni Vermeersch in Siena.
Gianni Vermeersch at the finish line of Strade Bianche 2026
© Maximilian Fries / Red Bull Content Pool
Under mild spring conditions, the race took time to settle before the first decisive move formed after roughly 35 kilometres. Adrien Boichis represented the team in the day’s breakaway, joining a nine-rider group that moved clear across the early gravel sectors. On terrain that constantly alternates between white roads, short climbs and twisting Tuscan lanes, the escape never enjoyed too much freedom, but Boichis remained present at the front of the race for much of the opening half.
As the race moved deeper into the Tuscan countryside, the rhythm of the sterrato gradually began to shape proceedings. Each gravel sector brought fresh accelerations and subtle selections, the field stretching and reforming as the kilometres ticked down toward Siena.
Adrien Boichis at Strade Bianche 2026
© Maximilian Fries / Red Bull Content Pool
A decisive moment came on the Monte Sante Marie sector, where the pace on the gravel climbs dramatically reduced the field and reshaped the race heading toward Siena. From there, the race evolved into a series of smaller groups scattered across the rolling Tuscan hills.
Gianni Vermeersch rode a measured race through this critical phase. The former UCI Gravel World Champion remained composed, gradually working his way back toward the front groups as the race fractured across the sterrato.
Iconic Strade Bianche hills in Tuscany
© Maximilian Fries / Red Bull Content Pool
By the final kilometres, Vermeersch had positioned himself in the group fighting for the places behind Pogačar. On the steep ramps of Via Santa Caterina, the traditional final test into Siena’s Piazza del Campo, he held his position among a group of strong climbers and crossed the line in fifth place, arriving in one of cycling’s most iconic finishing arenas.
For Vermeersch, it marked his best result at Strade Bianche so far, and an improvement on his seventh place from the previous year. Despite the race increasingly favouring lighter riders, the 33-year-old once again demonstrated his affinity with the race’s unique demands.
“I’m really happy with this result,” Vermeersch said at the finish line. “When you look at the riders around me in the finale, they are mostly climbers, so to finish fifth here means a lot. In the final I focused on getting the best result possible and that worked out. I’m very pleased with it and also chapeau to Adrien who was in the move and helped to launch me into the front groups after he was caught.”
Gianni Vermeersch at the finish of Strade Bianche 2026
© Maximilian Fries / Red Bull Content Pool
Sports Director Oli Cookson highlighted the team’s approach to the race.
“We knew a few teams were interested in the break to try to get ahead before Monte Sante Marie, so we wanted to be there as well. Ben was in one move early on, and Adrien made the move that stuck, which was a phenomenal ride from him,” Cookson said.
“The guys stayed well together behind and we pushed deeper into the race. In the end we had Gianni there in the final groups, and Adrien was still deep into the race after being in the break, finishing inside the top 25. That’s a great ride from him. We know Gianni is an experienced, very crafty bike rider who understands how to race these events. He was seventh here last year and now fifth, which is a top result for us. I’m proud of the team performance and we’re already looking forward to coming back to this beautiful race next year.”
