Monte Sante Marie
Monte Sante Marie is one of the defining gravel sectors of Strade Bianche. It is long, uneven, exposed and now carries the name of Fabian Cancellara.
- Length
- approx. 11 km sector
- Elevation Gain
- Not yet available
- Average Gradient
- Not yet available
- Difficulty
- Very Challenging
Community recommendation
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Monte Sante Marie is not a classic climb, and it should not be treated like one. This is a gravel sector where the difficulty comes from surface, rhythm, positioning and repeated changes in gradient. The briefing notes gradients up to 15 percent, which gives the sector enough climbing bite to belong in the Climbs library, even if the road itself is more complex than a simple ascent.
Its connection to Strade Bianche gives it real weight. This is Tuscany at its most cinematic and least forgiving. White roads, open views, dust or mud depending on the weather, and the constant feeling that smoothness matters just as much as power.
How to Ride It
- Keep your effort under control at the start. Eleven kilometres of gravel is long enough to punish early overconfidence.
- Stay loose on the bike. The surface will change constantly, so relaxed handling matters.
- Save energy for the steeper parts. Gradients up to 15 percent feel very different on gravel than on smooth tarmac.
Where to Stay
Siena is the natural base for Monte Sante Marie and the wider Strade Bianche landscape. It gives you access to the famous white roads, the race atmosphere and enough culture to make the trip more than just riding.
Practical Tips
- Florence and Pisa are practical airport options for reaching Tuscany.
- Tyre choice matters more here than on a normal road climb. Prioritise grip and comfort.
- Check the weather before riding. Dry dust and wet mud create very different experiences on this sector.
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