Saturday will see Thomas Löfkvist defend his title at Strade Bianche Eroica, a one-day race in Tuscany that is one of the newest on the cycling calendar, but already one of the most prestigious.

"It's a beautiful race," says Lofkvist, and it's easy to see what he means. The race features around 60km (from a total of 190km) of white gravel farm roads, which add an interesting and unusual dimension, while the finish on the Piazza del Campo in the centre of Siena makes for one of the most picturesque in sport.

The stunning Piazza is only closed to the public on three occasions each year - for the famous Palio di Siena horse races in July and August, and for the Eroica cycle race in March.

For Löfkvist the 2009 Eroica was his first big one-day victory, and one that he will always treasure. "It's a special race, with the dirt roads making it different to any other race," says the Swede.

"The history of the area, the finish in Siena, all make it a really beautiful event. I'll see what I can do this year, my legs are okay, but it'll be a hard race.

"I first did it in 2008," he continues. "And I wasn't that keen on going, but after doing it that first time I realised what a great race it is. It's a tough race, with the dirt roads and a steep climb to the finish, but really beautiful."

That is reflected in the quality of this year's field. As well as the defending champion, the world road race champion Cadel Evans, world time trial champion Fabian Cancellara, Mark Cavendish, Alessandro Ballan and Filippo Pozzato will all line up in Gaiole in Chianti for the start.

Full swing

For Löfkvist the season is about to get into full swing, with the Italian stage race, Tirreno-Adriatico, following Eroica, and then the classics. "I like Tirreno, and I love Milan-San Remo. It's not my race, in terms of having a chance of winning, but the atmosphere and history really appeals to me.

"I hope to be up there in the Ardennes classics, Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège - Liège is a bit of a dream for me, and I really hope to perform in it one year. The one race I'm not so keen on is the Amstel Gold Race - I don't go so well there. But Simon [Gerrans] likes it, so he might lead the team there.

"I had a good winter, quite a tough winter, with the weather, but it was the same for everyone," continues Löfkvist. "I had two weeks back in Sweden, and then the team's two training camps in Valencia. I had a few days at home in Switzerland before I abandoned it for Spain. It just kept snowing. They're good at clearing the roads there, but it was nice to escape the snow."