VERDICT Tuscany's gravel answer to L'Eroica that trades vintage wool for modern suffering on the same unforgiving strade bianche.
A training plan for Nova Eroica—shaped to your fitness and the hours you have.
Tuscan strade bianche—135km of iconic white roads, 2,800m elevation, medieval town charm, Italian gravel paradise.
Nova Eroica founded ~2015. Tuscan strade bianche gravel. 131 km (flagship Terre di Siena route), 1,000-1,500 riders. Buonconvento medieval town. Italian gravel scene. Founded in ~2015.
Reputation: Italian gravel scene. Tuscan strade bianche. Well-organized. Medieval town. International destination.
Photo: YouTube / Gravel CyclistThe 131.1 km Terre di Siena route gains 1,990 m on Tuscan strade bianche and road transfers, with five timed sections. It starts and finishes in Buonconvento.
Signature challenge: A 131.1 km strade bianche route with 1,990 m of gain and five timed sections.
Good day, trends setters. Presenting to you today a quick video, the bikes of Nova Eroica, an event I attended recently in the beautiful Tuscan town of Buonconvento, Italy.
Gravel Cyclist · 3.4K views
I want to say just enjoy it will be a great event just have fun enjoy your roads enjoy your food and come back next year
eroica · 1.6K views
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Weather runs the gamut—2021 saw 'cooler temperatures and a very light drizzle' instead of typical July heat, while 2025 had 'storms nearby' that 'blew through quickly.' Italian spring delivers 'filtered sun and misted gravel' when it cooperates. Similar climate challenges to SBT GRVL.[8]
'one of my best days on a bicycle' after completing the 95km route, suggesting the organization delivers despite small-town Italian infrastructure. The festival atmosphere in Buonconvento works well for the day-before walkabout and post-race scene.[8]
Racing the same sectors as Fabian Cancellara through 'abundant vineyards and steep sterrate' delivers adventure wrapped in cycling history. The course reaches places cars can't, through landscapes that have looked the same for centuries.[1]
Using the actual Strade Bianche sectors gives this race cycling pedigree that matters. JOM managed 'the initial front group of 20 or so' and finished 'with the top cyclists,' suggesting the field takes it seriously despite the festival atmosphere.[6]
You need legitimate climbing legs for 1,990 meters (6,529 feet) of Tuscan punishment and the bike handling skills to descend white gravel roads that turn sketchy fast. This isn't a beginner's intro to European gravel—it's proper suffering in postcard scenery. Show up undertrained and those rolling hills will expose every fitness gap you've been ignoring.
Research sources used to build this race profile. Always verify details with official race sources before making travel or registration decisions.