Strade Bianche Weekend
- Moloko
- Mar 9
- 4 min read
As we're watching the Spring Classics we're reminiscing about Tuscany where we enjoyed the iconic Strade Bianche with KASK… and mamma mia, what a weekend.
In true Italian style, the KASK team showed us everything that makes this place so special: incredible food, quiet roads, and cycling just woven into everyday life. It already felt like one of those trips you don’t want to end… so let us tell you all about the experience!
The Recce
We land in Florence the day before the race and get picked up by the KASK team. From here, it's straight into bikes, hotel, and pasta. Priorities.
It's an early start the next morning for a 50km recce loop and straight onto the gravel.
And honestly… it feels like riding through a postcard with the rolling hills, cypress trees, and those famous white roads making our bikes dusty in a very cool way :D
I was a bit unsure about descending gravel on a road bike, but it’s actually quite nice as long as you take it easy on the corners. Definitely a “trust your skills” moment though. We obviously stop for some cappuccino before pacing the final 20km of the ride, on our way to lunch (a proper Tuscany style buffet that leaves us with very full bellies).
It's been a lovely lovely ride, and we're very excited for the rest of the weekend.
Time for a quick shower, then we head straight to the event village for team presentations. Seeing all the pros up close in the VIP area is pretty surreal. Dinner that night is a traditional restaurant in Siena: Fiorentina steak, pasta, good wine… we are going to sleep well!
Race Day
Race day energy just hits different.
We start the morning at the team buses before the women’s race and honestly this is a proper goosebumps moment for me. It’s so quiet! No panic, no stress... just riders completely locked in for their race.
Then it’s time for the race car. I think the word to describe it is chaos, but in the best possible way! We’re driving super fast, jumping from sector to sector, somehow managing to see the race pass us SIX times. Le Tolfe is a standout as Pogacar comes flying through solo, completely clear, kicking up a cloud of dust behind him. It's one of those moments where you just stand there like… wow, we're so lucky to be here!
The whole atmosphere itself is just amazing. At one point we pass a winery that has turned into a full party with loud music, big crowds, bottles of wine flying around for €10… what a life!
It's already time to head back to Siena for the big finish. KASK has rented a flat with a balcony overlooking Piazza del Campo…and so we found ourselves watching Pogacar cross the line from possibly one of the best race views! A proper pinch-me moment.
Tonight dinner is all about carbs loading...because we have a very big day ahead of us tomorrow: it will be our turn to take on the white roads.
The Gran Fondo
And then Sunday came. The Gran Fondo. 140km, 2,500m of climbing and around 50km of gravel. Except this time there is no white dust: just rain and a full-on mud bath! We did briefly consider calling it early… but the weather cleared just enough to convince us to keep going. And I'm so happy we did! It turned into one of my favourite days on the bike!
We start with a wet 20km descent straight out the gate (BONKERS)! Then it's into our first gravel sector which has very much turned into a mud party: might as well fully embrace it!
And then the rain stops, so after about 50km we make the call: full loop it is. And honestly, best decision! Riding the same roads we watched the race on the day before is such a cool feeling, especially through Le Tolfe. The climbs are no joke either: they're short and sharp, and definitely force the legs out of hibernation.
As Siena gets closer, the energy picks up again. That final climb into the old town is savage. It's properly steep with loads of people walking, crowds everywhere… and then suddenly you’re in Piazza del Campo. Crossing the line there, after watching Elise Chabbey and Tadej Pogacar do it the day before, is a proper WOW moment.
We are muddy, sweaty, and very very hungry… but also super buzzing! It's not over yet though: we have a casual 5km climb back to the hotel (of course). The shower afterwards might be the best part of the whole weekend (only slightly joking).
Dinner is unreal with tagliatelle al tartufo, grilled octopus, and tiramisu (it had to be done). I will definitely sleep like a baby tonight, and all I am thinking about is organising a Moloko trip here because I'm in love!
This was our first proper taste of Tuscany, and I think it's safe to say Moloko will be back...watch this space for 2027!
PS: the bikes! Paul rode his Canyon Aeroad CFslx with 34mm road tyres, I rode my Canyon Ultimate CFslx with 32mm tyres... it was perfect! No fall, no puncture, and both bikes were ace on the climbs.
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