Racing
Magdeleine Vallieres finishes fifth with gritty performance at Strade Bianche
Ben Healy leads men’s squad over the line after hard chase on the sterrato
March 7, 2026
World champion Magdeleine Vallieres flew around the final turn and entered the Piazza del Campo to a huge cheer, as the crowd in Siena’s main square roared their appreciation for her brave ride on the white roads of Tuscany.
Mags and her teammate Noemi Rüegg raced into the front group when the peloton split on a tough sector of sterrato midway through the race, and then took turns marking moves and saving strength, as they blasted across the white gravel paths that wind through the region’s vineyards and olive groves. As they neared Siena, Mags got away with a group of eight. She hit her rivals with a strong attack as soon as they hit the foot of the climb up Santa Caterina but couldn’t shake them. She kept pushing all the way over the top and finished fifth.
After the dust had settled on the women’s race, the crowd turned their attention to the men’s event, where Ben Healy and Michael Valgren led a courageous chase to stay in contention for the podium after the race split on the Monte Sante Marie sector. Both EF Education-EasyPost riders got away with promising attacks, but then missed a key move near the end and had to accept 12th place at the finish line for Ben.
Ben was disappointed with the result, but encouraged by his form, as he builds towards the Ardennes Classics. Michael was also heartened by his performance in just his first race of the year.
Read our riders’ thoughts from the finish line of Strade Bianche.
Magdeleine Vallieres
It was a hard day today. I couldn’t follow on the final climb, but it was a good improvement. We worked so well with the girls together today. Alexis and Henri were amazing. We were first into all the sectors. That helped Noemi and I to be there in the finale.
Ben Healy
I didn’t race my best race, but it is what it is – Strade Bianche. Do or die. On Le Tolfe, the fans were amazing, but they got in the way a bit and that definitely impacted my race. That’s the beauty of Strade. It’s such a hard race with the white roads and big crowds. What’s not to like?
Noemi Rüegg
It was a tough day, like every year at Strade. There was lots of chaos and a lot of nervous moments, but we did a really good job as a team. The girls positioned us really well into the first sector, so we could stay out of trouble. Unfortunately, Cédrine had a mechanical on one of the sectors, so then it was only Mags and me. We made it into a reduced group already quite far away from the finish, and then we just had to play the game. I tried to help Mags as much as I could. I wish I could have done it a bit better, but she was amazingly strong. I think we can be proud.
Michael Valgren
It was my first race back this year. I have just been home all winter, doing the hard work in Denmark. I think the hard work paid off. I am happy, but also disappointed. We came for more. We made one little mistake and that cost us the chance to fight for second place. Onwards and upwards.