EF Pro Cycling Gears Up for 2026 Strade Bianche | Rider Lineup & Preview

Tuscany’s famed white gravel roads await a star-studded field of cyclists this Saturday at Strade Bianche, with EF Pro Cycling poised to make its mark on the iconic Italian spring classic. The American-registered team has announced a powerful lineup, blending seasoned veterans with rising talents, all eager to conquer the challenging terrain and claim victory in the race that echoes the golden age of Italian cycling.

EF Education-EasyPost will field a strong men’s team featuring Richard Carapaz, Ben Healy, Mikkel Honoré, Vincenzo Albanese, Lukas Nerurkar, James Shaw, and Michael Valgren. The women’s team, EF Education-Oatly, will see Nina Berton, Henrietta Christie, Cédrine Kerbaol, Magdeleine Vallieres, Alexis Magner, and Noemi Rüegg tackle the grueling course.

Strade Bianche is renowned for its unique character, a throwback to a time when cycling heroes like Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali battled across unpaved roads. The race’s demanding course, winding through vineyards and olive groves near Siena, tests riders’ strength, technical skill, and mental fortitude. The final ascent to the Santa Caterina and the subsequent sprint to the finish in Piazza del Campo create a dramatic spectacle for both participants and fans.

Richard Carapaz, a key figure for EF Pro Cycling, expressed his fondness for the race, drawing parallels to his early cycling days. “Strade is a race I really like because it reminds me of my beginnings when I started out,” Carapaz said. “When I was a kid, all the roads around my house were all dirt roads. It was all dirt tracks.” He acknowledged the high level of competition, stating, “It is a world-class race, one of the best classics. It is a lot of fun, but the level of competition is very high.”

Despite past setbacks at Strade Bianche, Carapaz remains optimistic. “In past times, I haven’t had quality fortune here, but whenever I come here, I do it with all the excitement of the moment. I always want to do well,” he explained. He also highlighted the importance of positioning and luck in the race, adding, “It is a race where you always have to be at the front and then have a bit of luck to be in the top positions.” Carapaz also noted the increased intensity of the race when it’s the sole focus for riders, compared to being a stage within a larger race like the Giro d’Italia. He praised teammate Ben Healy’s current form, expressing confidence in their collective strength.

Cédrine Kerbaol, representing EF Education-Oatly, described the peculiar atmosphere of racing on the gravel sectors. “Strade is very special. When you enter a sector, there is so much noise, but after a few seconds, it’s often a single line, and there is this kind of silence. It’s very strange,” she observed. She emphasized the require for both power and technical skill to navigate the challenging terrain.

Kerbaol acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the race, stating, “We find so many factors you can’t control in this race. That would make a victory or a podium here mean even more, for sure.” She expressed her long-term ambition to perform well at Strade Bianche, admitting that last year was plagued by crashes and mechanical issues. Kerbaol also highlighted the strength of the EF Education-Oatly team, mentioning teammates Magdeleine Vallieres and Noemi Rüegg as potential contenders. She emphasized a desire to race with passion and enjoyment, stating, “It’s time to go. It’s time to risk. It’s time to race with my heart.”

Ben Healy described Strade Bianche as “iconic,” noting the growing fan base and media attention. He acknowledged the race’s demanding nature, stating, “With this longer parcours that we’ve had for the past couple of years, it’s just an absolute slog.” Healy outlined a strategy of conserving energy and launching a decisive attack in the finale.

Healy also described the feeling of crossing the finish line as a blur of pain and exhaustion, followed by a sense of spectacle and accomplishment in Piazza del Campo. “It has got to be one of my favorite races of the year,” he concluded.

Noemi Rüegg expressed her excitement for the race, having completed a training block following her participation in the Down Under Classic. She highlighted the team’s strength and versatility, drawing a comparison to her experience in cyclocross. “It is nice to be back on dirt roads,” Rüegg said. She acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the race, emphasizing the importance of staying focused and hoping for good luck.

Rüegg underscored the team’s collaborative approach, stating, “Our strength is that we have a lot of strong riders in one team. We’re equally strong. We have many strong girls. That’s what makes our team very special. We have a lot of cards to play.”

Magdeleine Vallieres, racing with the rainbow jersey, described Strade Bianche as “special, one of the craziest and hardest and most classic races.” She expressed the team’s ambition to win, emphasizing the unique challenge and technical demands of racing over the white gravel roads. “Racing over the white gravel is really fun. It makes the race super different from all of the others. It is more technical and positioning is super important,” she said.