Nova Eroica Buonconvento.
The Terre di Siena Lungo is the main route of Nova Eroica Buonconvento: 131 kilometres across the white roads of the Crete Senesi, five of them raced against the clock. Riding it fast means carrying speed on gravel while keeping Monte Sante Marie in mind.
Nova Eroica Buonconvento 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The loop starts and finishes in Buonconvento and stays inside a narrow band between 133 and 328 metres. That is deceptive: across 131 kilometres more than 2,300 metres of climbing add up, because the Crete Senesi are built from short steep hills and the course is hardly ever flat.
The hard kilometres come early. At kilometre 22.1 a climb of 1.18 kilometres at 7.1 percent with ramps to 18.6 percent gets in the way, another follows at kilometre 30.3, and at kilometre 33.9 the steepest passage of the route arrives, 1.13 kilometres averaging 9.8 percent. The profile then calms for a long stretch before the climbs bunch again from kilometre 106 and a final ascent of almost two kilometres with pitches over 16 percent closes the day at kilometre 122.1.
The format is what sets it apart. Nova Eroica alternates free-pace transfers with five timed sections, ridden on modern gravel, road or cyclocross bikes. Feed stops are in Torrenieri, Monteroni d'Arbia and at Podere La Campana, with a water point at Torre a Castello immediately before the hardest section on Monte Sante Marie, the gravel wall the professionals also fear at Strade Bianche.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 22.1 | 1.2 km | 7.1 % | 18.6 % | +83 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 30.3 | 1.1 km | 7 % | 12.9 % | +76 m | — |
| km 33.9 | 1.1 km | 9.8 % | 14.2 % | +110 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 76.2 | 0.8 km | 7.6 % | 13.7 % | +62 m | — |
| km 88.5 | 1 km | 5.7 % | 15.4 % | +55 m | — |
| km 106.2 | 0.9 km | 7.6 % | 10.9 % | +68 m | — |
| km 107.6 | 1.3 km | 4.9 % | 10.5 % | +61 m | — |
| km 122.2 | 2 km | 5.2 % | 16.4 % | +102 m | Cat. 4 |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
How to pace Nova Eroica Buonconvento.
Sit in early
Because only the timed sections are scored, this is not one continuous race but a series of separate efforts with recovery in between. Ride the transfers deliberately controlled and save the hard work for the five specials, otherwise you enter each of them already loaded.
Ration your effort
The day is decided between kilometre 22 and kilometre 34, where three climbs follow closely and the last averages almost ten percent. On loose gravel the thing that matters is a gear you can turn seated; getting out of the saddle costs rear wheel traction and stops you sooner than you expect.
Race the finale
The trap is the apparently easy middle. Between kilometre 40 and kilometre 100 the profile looks harmless, but the closing climbs from kilometre 106 land exactly when reserves are gone. Eat and drink at the feed stops, and take the water point at Torre a Castello seriously, because the hardest section of the loop begins right after it.
Training plan for Nova Eroica Buonconvento: 12-week build
Build endurance
Expect five to seven hours of riding. The demand is mixed: long aerobic blocks on the transfers, broken up by five hard, very intense sections lasting from a few minutes to half an hour.
Train the climbs
That dictates the training. Ride long sessions with intense blocks inserted rather than steady endurance, and practise the transition itself: from an easy pace straight into a hard effort and back down again. That switch is what this format asks for.
Ride race-specific
The race is decided on the short steep gravel climbs, Monte Sante Marie above all. Repeats of one to two minutes on a steep hill, ridden seated on a loose surface, match that exactly. Train only on asphalt and you will underestimate how much traction control costs.
Arrive fresh
April conditions vary: the Crete Senesi can be bone dry or heavy and sticky after rain, and each asks for different tyre pressure and lines. Schedule rides on wet unsealed roads and test the tyre width you intend to race in both states.
Courses
Download the Nova Eroica Buonconvento course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Nova Eroica Buonconvento dynamically
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
Everything about Nova Eroica Buonconvento.
How long is Nova Eroica Buonconvento?
Nova Eroica Buonconvento is 131.1 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Nova Eroica Buonconvento have?
Nova Eroica Buonconvento has around 2,325 m of elevation gain over 131.1 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Nova Eroica Buonconvento?
Nova Eroica Buonconvento is classified as Rolling, averaging 17.8 vertical metres per kilometre. 26% of the route is flat, 32% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 6% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Nova Eroica Buonconvento have?
The hardest climb of Nova Eroica Buonconvento starts at kilometre 33.9, runs for 1.1 km at an average of 9.8% and gains 110 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 4. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Nova Eroica Buonconvento a loop course?
Yes, Nova Eroica Buonconvento is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Nova Eroica Buonconvento course?
Yes. The Nova Eroica Buonconvento course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Nova Eroica Buonconvento?
Preparation for Nova Eroica Buonconvento should account for 131.1 km, 2,325 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Nova Eroica Buonconvento?
The pacing strategy for Nova Eroica Buonconvento should reflect 131.1 km, 2,325 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does Nova Eroica Buonconvento take place?
Nova Eroica Buonconvento takes place on April 11, 2027.
Where does Nova Eroica Buonconvento take place?
Nova Eroica Buonconvento takes place in Buonconvento, Italy.
Which distances does Nova Eroica Buonconvento offer?
Nova Eroica Buonconvento offers 5 distances — Terre di Siena Lungo: 131.1 km; Crete Senesi Medio: 95.7 km; Val d'Arbia Corto: 67 km; Ombrone e Arbia: 42.9 km; Epic Route: 290 km.
How do I register for Nova Eroica Buonconvento?
Registration runs through the organiser: eroica.cc. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
