Elise Chabbey Stuns Favorites at Strade Bianche Donne
Siena, Italy – In a dramatic and unpredictable finish to the 2026 Strade Bianche Donne, Elise Chabbey of FDJ-SUEZ emerged victorious, besting a field of pre-race favorites. The 32-year-old Swiss rider secured the biggest win of her career, capitalizing on a chaotic race that saw mechanical issues and a wrong turn derail the plans of several contenders. The race, known for its challenging gravel sectors and picturesque Tuscan landscapes, delivered a spectacle of attrition and tactical maneuvering.
A Race Disrupted
The women’s peloton tackled the grueling course on Saturday, March 7th, with early stages seeing a tightly packed field. It wasn’t until the fourth sterrati (gravel sector) of the day that the race truly began to ignite, as FDJ-SUEZ aggressively positioned itself at the front, aiming to control the pace for leader Demi Vollering. By the summit of San Martino in Grania, the lead group had been whittled down to just twenty riders, including former world champion Lotte Kopecky.
Chabbey’s Attack and Vollering’s Misfortune
With 50 kilometers remaining, Chabbey launched an initial attack, initially appearing to support Vollering’s ambitions. She gained a small advantage alongside Dominika Wlodarczyk (UEA Team ADQ). However, the tactic backfired spectacularly for FDJ-SUEZ as Vollering suffered a mechanical problem, forcing her to lose valuable time. The day quickly went from bad to worse for Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime), who found herself struggling to stay with the leading group following Chabbey’s acceleration. Adding insult to injury, Kopecky later took a wrong turn, guided off course by a motorbike, effectively ending any chance of a strong finish.
A Wrong Turn Costs Contenders
The race took another bizarre turn when a chase group containing Vollering, Kopecky, and Tour de France champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Visma-Lease a Bike) mistakenly followed a motorbike down an incorrect gravel track. The riders realized their error after several hundred meters, but the time lost turning around proved insurmountable. By the time they rejoined the race, the deficit had ballooned to almost three minutes, extinguishing their hopes for a podium finish. This incident underscored the importance of precise course knowledge and reliable guidance in a race as demanding as Strade Bianche.
A Thrilling Finale in Siena
In the final 20 kilometers, a flurry of attacks and counter-attacks kept the outcome uncertain. Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl-Trek) initiated a strong move, joined by Chabbey, Noémie Rüegg (EF Education – Oatly), and Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ). Marianne Vos and Puck Pieterse attempted to bridge the gap, but the leading quartet maintained a narrow advantage. As the riders entered the streets of Siena, eight riders remained in contention for the win.
Chabbey Claims Victory
Monica Trinca Colonel (Liv AlUla Jayco) and Marianne Vos were the first to fall back on the steep, cobbled streets of Siena. Kasia Niewiadoma and Longo Borghini then drove the pace, with Chabbey and Franziska Koch (FDJ SUEZ) closely following. The final corner was approached with four riders abreast, but Chabbey emerged first, launching a decisive sprint that none of her rivals could match. The victory was a surprise even to Chabbey herself, marking a career-defining moment for the Swiss rider.
Kasia Niewiadoma finished second, whereas Franziska Koch edged out Elisa Longo Borghini in the sprint for third place. Lotte Kopecky finished a disappointing 30th, a far cry from her previous successes in the race.
Strade Bianche Donne – Top 10
1. Elise Chabbey (Zwi)
2. Kasia Niewiadoma (Pol)
3. Franziska Koch (Dui)
4. Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita)
5. Magdeleinde Vallieres (Can)
6. Puck Pieterse (Ned)
7. Marianne Vos (Ned)
8. Monica Trinca Colonel (Ita)
9. Shirin van Anrooij (Ned)
10. Niamh Fisher-Black (NZd)
The 2026 Strade Bianche Donne will be remembered as a race of unexpected twists and turns, ultimately rewarding the tenacity and opportunism of Elise Chabbey. The race showcased the unpredictable nature of cycling and the importance of staying focused, even amidst chaos.
The women’s cycling calendar continues next week with [information on next race to be added when confirmed].
