The Strade Bianche is a road bicycle race in Tuscany, Central Italy, starting and finishing in Siena. The name Strade Bianche (Italian for White Roads) stems from the historic white gravel roads in the Crete Senesi, which are a defining feature of the race. The route consists of 184 kilometres over hilly terrain crossing the Crete Senesi in the central Tuscan province of Siena, including 11 sectors of gravel roads, totaling 63 km of dirt roads. Some of the dirt roads are flat, other sections include steep climbs and winding descents, testing riders' climbing abilities and bike handling skills. The photo capture a solo rider in the longest and most arduos sector, Monte Sante Marie.