Though only in its eigth year, Strade Bianche is becoming an increasingly prestigious race and a popular means of finding form ahead of the spring Classics.

Classics king Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing) is among the riders set for Tuscany’s white gravel roads, alongside defending champion Moreno Moser and his Cannondale team-mate Peter Sagan.

However, a reshuffle by Team Sky means Sir Bradley Wiggins will not start, despite initially being in the British team’s selection, meaning the 33-year-old’s intentions for the Classics season remain unclear.

British champion Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) will  be on start line for the eighth edition of the UCI 1.1-classified race however with the Manxman keen to step up his preparations for Milan-San Remo.

But with a high-class field expected for the increasingly popular race, what can we expect from the race? Read on for our in-depth look at the course and contenders over the following pages.