Zdenek Stybar's Strade Bianche win in pictures

The Strade Bianche is regarded by many as one of the most picturesque races on the cycling calendar. With the wide open countryside bisected by the dusty white roads that give the race its name, the riders are tested by long gravel sections on the 200km route.

As Zdenek Stybar (Etixx-Quick-Step) took the win, take a look at the best of the action through the lens of Graham Watson.

1. Vincenzo Nibali warmed up for his battle with Chris Froome, Alberto Contador and Nairo Quintana at Tirreno-Adriatico with a ride at Strade Bianche.

2. Trek Factory Racing took to the front of the peloton to keep two-time winner Fabian Cancellara out of trouble in the early stages.

3. The final quarter of the race saw the decisive nine-man breakaway make its move. Stybar, Greg van Avermaet, Alejandro Valverde, Sep Vanmarcke, Peter Sagan, Cancellara, Diego Rosa and Daniel Oss all went off the front, with Nathan Haas struggling to keep contact at the back.

4. The group was whittled down to four when an attack saw Vanmarcke, Stybar, van Avermaet and Valverde power away from their rivals.

5. Behind, the gravel surface on the Tuscan roads played havoc in the peloton, with punctures and crashes disrupting the chase.

6. Greg van Avermaet upped the pace inside the final 20km to leave his breakaway partners trailing in his dust.

7. Van Avermaet was hauled back in by Vanmarcke, Stybar and Valverde, as Cancellara, Oss and Rosa chased in vain 30 seconds down the road.

8. Vanmarcke cracked as the race reached the outskirts of Siena, leaving Valverde, van Avermaet and Stybar alone to attack the final kilometres.

9. Van Avermaet attacked on the steep Santa Caterina climb in the race's last kilometre, but the effort was too much for him as Stybar eased past and rolled to the line.

10. Stybar picked up a pretty impressive trophy for his efforts.