Strade Bianche may be a new kid on the block – it’s only been on the calendar since 2007 – but it’s fast become one of our favourite non-WorldTour races. Heck, it’s fast become one of our favourite races, period. White dirt roads, exciting racing – what’s not to like? So you can imagine how delighted we were to hear yesterday that this year we will get three races for the price of one!In addition to the 200km men’s race on Saturday 7th March, a 103km women’s race will be held on the same day, with a Grand Fondo event taking place the following day.

The beginning and end of both races trace the same route so, in addition to seeing the stars of women’s racing such as Marianne Vos tackling the white dirt roads which give the race its name, we will see the finale unfold on the steep final climb into Siena on which Michal Kwiatkowski dropped Peter Sagan to win last year, seven months before donning the rainbow jersey in Ponferrada.

The women’s race starts 90 minutes before their male counterparts set off, meaning it should finish an hour or so into the men’s race. Now, how about some TV coverage of the best women riders in the world showing us what they can do? Anyone listening out there, Eurosport?

Strade Bianche is seven weeks away. It can’t come soon enough!