Tom Mazzone: From White Roads to Cobbles, the Season Begins

Spring is one of my favourite times of the year to ride a bike. The winter base miles are done, the days are getting longer, those big events that felt a long way off suddenly start creeping closer on the calendar, and the cycling season is well and truly underway, kicking off with ‘The Classics”.

For me, this year, the season starts in Tuscany with the Strade Bianche Gran Fondo before heading north to Belgium a few weeks later for the Tour of Flanders Sportive.

They’re two of the most iconic events in cycling. Both take place on the same roads as the professional races on the same weekend, which adds to the atmosphere and the sense that you’re part of the race itself. Thousands of riders from around the world turn up to ride the routes and take on the challenge.

Both events offer their own unique demands. One is defined by gravel roads through the rolling hills of Tuscany, the other by cobbled climbs steeped in cycling history in the heart of Belgium.

Preparing properly can make a huge difference to how much you enjoy the experience.

First Time on the White Roads

This year will actually be my first time riding the Gran Fondo version of Strade Bianche, which I’m really excited about.

If you’ve watched the race before, you’ll know it’s famous for its'sterrato' the white gravel roads that wind through the Tuscan countryside. They’re stunning to ride, but they also add a completely different challenge compared to normal road riding.

Tyre choice becomes really important here.

I’ll be running 35mm Pirelli P Zero Race tyres, slightly wider than I’d normally ride, and lowering the pressure to just under 60psi. That should strike a really nice balance for an event like this. You still get the speed and efficiency you want on the road, but there’s enough grip and puncture protection to handle the 40+ kilometres of gravel sections confidently.

Some sectors are fast and flowing, but others can be rough, dusty and technical. Having trust in the equipment you’re riding makes a massive difference to how you feel tackling them. I’m lucky enough to have been able to hand-pick and work with some great brands whose products I have complete faith in, something you aren’t always afforded as a pro rider.

If you’ve ever ridden unfamiliar roads in a big event like this, you’ll know how useful navigation can be. Even with signage, I always upload the GPX file onto my Wahoo. Knowing when the next climb or gravel sector is approaching helps you manage your effort and plan your fuelling throughout the day.

When you’re tired late in the day, that kind of information makes your life so much easier.

Returning to Familiar Roads in Flanders

At the beginning of April, I’ll be heading back to Belgium for the Tour of Flanders, which will be my second time riding the event, although those roads and cobblestones will feel very familiar to me. I spent almost five years living and racing in Belgium early in my career, and it’s really where I learned my craft as a rider, which carried me through many years of competing in the pro ranks.

The climbs, the Kwaremont, the Paterberg, the Koppenberg, they’re short but brutally steep, and the cobbles add a whole new layer of difficulty. It’s not just about power; it’s about how to stay relaxed while the bike is bouncing underneath you, carrying your momentum onto the climbs and staying in the saddle to conquer them, which proves to be something unfamiliar to many. Even the pros have had to push up these climbs in recent years.

Even though I know those roads well, Flanders always presents a challenge. You never quite know what weather you’ll face, and even without wind or rain there’s a serious amount of climbing mixed with countless cobbled sectors. Even the 163km route is attritional and leaves the legs aching long before enjoying a well-earned Belgian beer afterwards.

Again, equipment choices really matter here. Tyres, kit, and making sure you’re properly fuelled throughout the day can be the difference between finishing strong and loving every minute or seeing stars over the Paterberg and battling your inner demons just to reach the finish line in Oudenaarde.

The Reality of Spring Conditions

The biggest factor people underestimate with spring events is the weather.

It can be glorious, sunny and warm… or it can be freezing, wet and windy, sometimes all in the same day. More often than not, it’s the latter back home on the Isle of Man, but anyone who has ridden in northern Europe at this time of year will know exactly what I mean.

That’s why your kit choices become absolutely crucial.

You might start the ride on a crisp, cold morning before the sun rises and temperatures climb later in the day. Or you could just as easily end up riding through wind and rain all day long.

For these events, I always rely on my Le Col kit, whatever the conditions bring. The key in spring is layering: a short-sleeve base layer, arm warmers and the Pro Insulated Gilet are almost always essentials. If the forecast looks unpredictable, I’ll pack the Pro Lighweight Rain Jacket too.

When you’re riding for five or six hours, comfort becomes just as important as performance.

Staying on Top of Fuelling

One of the biggest challenges with events like these is staying on top of your fuelling.

On rough terrain, whether it’s gravel in Tuscany or cobbles in Belgium, eating isn’t always easy. You don’t get many opportunities to take a hand off the bars when the bike is bouncing around underneath you.

So whenever the road is straight, smooth or descending, that’s my cue to eat and drink. The key is keeping your energy levels topped up consistently rather than waiting until you feel hungry or tired. Once you’re behind on fuelling in events like these, it’s very difficult to recover.

Personally, I use a mixture of products to fuel my training. This winter, I’ve been using nutrition from Veloforte during long training rides. Their bars and chews are easy to digest and feel natural, which is important when you’re riding for five or six hours. It’s also important to train your stomach for a higher carbohydrate intake during longer efforts.

Riding the Roads We Watch on TV

What I love about these events is that they allow riders of all ages and abilities to experience some of the most iconic roads in cycling, often just hours before or after the professionals. It’s a bit like playing at Wembley the day before the FA Cup Final.

You’re not just watching the races anymore, you’re part of it. Riding the climbs, feeling the cobbles, crossing the same finish line and sharing the road with thousands of other riders who love the sport just as much as you do.

For me, that’s what makes cycling special. When everything comes together on the day, there’s nothing quite like that feeling.

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