Nova Eroica Buonconvento
The premier gravel event on the white roads of the Crete Senesi and Val d'Orcia
About Nova Eroica
Gravel riding on Tuscany's white roads
Nova Eroica is the modern soul of the famous Eroica brand: while the historic event in Gaiole in Chianti celebrates vintage bikes, here the star is gravel—a discipline that tackles dirt roads on modern bicycles while preserving the ancient spirit of heroic cycling. The headquarters is Buonconvento, a stunning walled medieval village in the heart of the Siena province, Tuscany. For an entire weekend, the town comes alive, becoming one of Europe's premier gravel cycling hubs.
White roads between Crete Senesi and Val d'Orcia
The charm of Nova Eroica lies in its routes, which traverse some of Tuscany's most iconic landscapes: the clay undulations of the Crete Senesi, the cypress-lined avenues of the Val d'Arbia, and the scenery of the Val d'Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The white roads, dusty tracks, and rolling hills make every route a visual experience as much as a sporting one. The paths touch numerous municipalities in the Sienese territory and connect to the permanent Terra Eroica itineraries, shared with L'Eroica and Eroica Montalcino.
Three souls: Race, Ride, and Relax
The event is designed to be both competitive and accessible, structured into three categories: Race for those seeking a timed challenge, Ride for those who prefer to pedal without the pressure of a leaderboard, and Relax for those who want to enjoy the day with a leisurely, tourist-friendly spirit. Along the routes, there is no shortage of refreshment stops featuring local specialties, from ribollita to rustic farm delicacies, which are an integral part of the heroic philosophy.
A village-wide celebration
Nova Eroica is more than just a race: it is a festival that involves the entire village of Buonconvento with music, meetings, activities for families and schools, the Bike Village, and initiatives focused on sustainability and the preservation of the white roads. The event has also been selected as a platform to promote 'Made in Italy'—a system of expertise, innovation, and generational continuity—featuring workshops on bicycle mechanics and visual education through photography.
Nova Eroica — edition 2026
The tenth-anniversary edition confirmed Buonconvento as one of the European hubs for gravel cycling. The decision to hold the event in April proved successful, with the hills of the Val d'Orcia in ideal condition. The routes crossed 17 municipalities along the Eroica white roads, while the village remained lively throughout the weekend with the Bike Village, music, activities for schools, and initiatives linked to Made in Italy and sustainability.
Programme Nova Eroica 2026
Saturday, April 11, 2026
- Opening of the Bike Village in the village of Buonconvento
- Start of the Epic Route (290 km, approx. 5,500 m elevation gain) for the most experienced cyclists
- Activities, meetings, workshops, and initiatives for families and schools
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Start of the cycling routes from the center of Buonconvento:
- Lungo Terre di Siena — 131 km, 1,990 m elevation gain, 5 timed sections (competitive)
- Medio Crete Senesi — 95.7 km, 1,410 m elevation gain, 3 timed sections (competitive)
- Corto Val d'Arbia — 67 km, 970 m elevation gain (cycle tourism)
- Passeggiata Ombrone e Arbia — 42.9 km, 500 m elevation gain (cycle tourism)
Along the routes, refreshment stops feature local products such as ribollita in Monteroni d'Arbia and tomato eggs at Podere La Campana.
Highlights Nova Eroica 2026
- Tenth anniversary of Nova Eroica
- Over 1,200 athletes at the start, over 10% from abroad
- Five routes from 42 to 290 km
- Bike Village and village-wide festival
Prices Nova Eroica 2026
Practical information — Nova Eroica
Getting there
Buonconvento is located along the SR2 Cassia road, about 27 km south of Siena. By car, take the Siena Sud exit from the Florence-Siena highway, then follow the SR2 towards Rome. By train, the Buonconvento station is on the Siena-Grosseto line.
Registration
Registrations are handled online via the official portal myeroica.cc. Fees vary based on the time of booking and the chosen route, with discounted rates for Ciclo Club Eroica members and combined packages with L'Eroica.
Tips
Road bikes, cyclocross bikes, and gravel bikes are permitted; for gravel bikes, tires of at least 32 mm and disc brakes are recommended. It is advisable to book accommodation in the Crete Senesi villages well in advance for the event weekend.
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Where does it take place — Nova Eroica
Borgo medievale di Buonconvento