Fabian Cancellara could have a stretch of Strade Bianche named after him

Fabian Cancellara (Trek-Segafredo) is to-date the only rider to have taken victory twice in the Italian one-day race Strade Bianche, in 2008 and 2012.

The race organisers have now said that if the Swiss rider can take a third victory in the race this Saturday, he will have one of the famous gravel sectors named in his honour.

The UCI 1.HC which has only been run since 2007 is fast becoming a classic due to the unique nature of its parcours. The race covers a number of sectors of white gravel roads named sterrati or Strade Bianche (Italian for White Streets).

These gravel sectors have become the focal point for the race and account for 50 kilometres of the total race distance of 200 kilometres.

The race which has been a great addition to the calendar has seen a number of other top one-day riders taking victory including Michal Kwiatkowski in 2014, Philippe Gilbert in 2011 and last year’s winner Zdeněk Štybar.