Q36.5 and Pidcock noticed Strade Bianche gravel changing throughout the week – Other (Ex-)MTB riders also ambitious

Strade Bianche is the race where other disciplines come into play more than ever. That’s no surprise, with former cyclocross riders like Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, Julian Alaphilippe, Zdenek Stybar, and Tom Pidcock on the list of winners. In 2025, Pidcock returns as the leader of Q36.5, whose team has already done no less than three recon rides in Tuscany this week.

Kurt Bogaerts, a trusted figure in Pidcock’s camp, provided an update on their recon efforts in a press release from Q36.5. "It’s important to get a clear idea of the road conditions. Throughout the week, we saw the dry gravel becoming looser by the day, and with no more rain expected, we can assume similar conditions on Saturday."

On Thursday, the British team leader was spotted on the course himself. "We used this recon to check out the final 100 kilometers of the new course, including the new sector," Bogaerts explained, making it clear that nothing is being left to chance. "Strade Bianche is a race where every detail matters, so we’re paying a lot of attention to tire choice and other specifics. There are many variables, and we need to approach them the right way."

"Our strength is that we have a very experienced and motivated group. Every rider was eager to take on this special race and fully committed to supporting Tom and helping him perform at his best," said the Belgian. Q36.5 will line up with Pidcock, along with Gianluca Brambilla, Milan Vader, Xabier Mikel Azparren, Fabio Christen, Mark Donovan, and Nicholas Zukowsky.

Read more below the photo!

Hatherly and Blackmore earn the trust of team leaders

On paper, Pidcock’s mountain biking skills give him an advantage—but he’s not the only one. In AlUla, for example, he already faced Alan Hatherly, the Paris Olympics bronze medalist, and the South African will also be lining up for Strade Bianche, just like Sam Gaze from Alpecin-Deceuninck. "It will be his first experience at Strade Bianche, but we believe he can do well," said Jayco AlUla sports director Valerio Piva when announcing the team’s selection.

Top talent Joe Blackmore from Israel-Premier Tech also has a mountain biking background and is set for his first Strade Bianche. "I feel very comfortable on gravel and I’m really looking forward to the race. Of course, racing on a road bike is different, but we’ll be using wider tires and lower tire pressure, so that should be fine. I can’t imagine doing this race in crosswinds and rain, but Saturday’s forecast looks good."

Team director Sam Bewley also has confidence in him. "Strade Bianche is a race for those who dare, so we’re going to race aggressively and take our chances. Young guys like Joe and Rhiley (Sheehan, ed.) are future leaders and deserve the opportunity to be supported by the team. So we’re targeting them, but also Jakob Fuglsang (a former runner-up, ed.) and Simon Clarke will have the freedom to join moves at key moments."

Selection Q36.5 Strade Bianche 2025

Tom Pidcock
Gianluca Brambilla
Milan Vader
Xabier Mikel Azparren
Fabio Christen
Mark Donovan
Nicholas Zukowsky

Selection Jayco AlUla Strade Bianche 2025

Filippo Zana
Alessandro De Marchi
Davide De Pretto
Felix Engelhardt
Anders Foldager
Alan Hatherley
Asbjørn Hellemose
Filippo Zana

Israel-Premier Tech Strade Bianche 2025 selection

Jakob Fuglsang
Simon Clarke
Hugo Houle
Krists Neilands
Riley Sheehan
Nadav Raisberg
Joe Blackmore

Read also

Preview of Strade Bianche 2025 | Pogacar can show off his skills again, Van Aert, Van der Poel, Evenepoel and Vingegaard are absent

Team boss Matxin warns rivals of "an even better Pogacar": "We respect the competition, but..."

🎥 Did Pogacar underestimate the new Strade Bianche finale, which Pidcock said caused 'dead bodies' to pile up?

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