Strade Bianche Women: Elise Chabbey lands surprise victory in electric conclusion to a thriller in Tuscany

Elise Chabbey (FDJ-SUEZ) secured a surprising victory at Strade Bianche Women, outmaneuvering former teammate Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM) in a thrilling finale in Tuscany. Chabbey’s audacious late attack proved decisive, with Niewiadoma unable to bridge the gap in the final sector. FDJ-SUEZ further solidified their dominance, as Chabbey’s current teammate Franziska Koch rounded out the podium in third, marking a significant one-three finish for the French squad.

This result is particularly noteworthy given Chabbey's previous reputation as a strong domestique and time trialist, rather than a consistent one-day race winner. Her tactical acumen and sheer power on the gravel roads of Siena, especially against a proven Strade Bianche performer like Niewiadoma, signals a potential shift in her career trajectory. For FDJ-SUEZ, it underscores their growing strength in the women's peloton, building on recent successes and challenging the established order of teams like SD Worx-Protime who, unusually, missed the podium entirely.

Chabbey’s unexpected triumph serves as a sharp reminder that even the most anticipated races can deliver the most improbable, and therefore most satisfying, outcomes.