While top riders from the men's and women's World Tour teams take on Strade Bianche this weekend, a gravel race will be held in a corner of California in honor of the iconic Italian dirt road.

Shasta Gravel Hugger, despite the COVID-19 restrictions, will be the first of many to be included in Saturday's 100-mile event, with American cyclocross champion Clara Honsinger, former World Tour rider Pete Stetina, and Jacob Rathe The field is expected to be spectacular, with names on the start list.

Also on the list are such elite names as Kathy Pruitt, Severina Bishop Gordon, Moriah Wilson, Helen Prashar, and Jonathan Baker.

Race organizer Brian Brainard told Cycling News.

"A lot of riders were already on the schedule last year, but we've been able to attract a lot of big names and a lot of attention over the last 12 months. The bottom line is that our race, which doesn't travel very far, has a regional feel to it. Almost everyone will be driving for this race." [Clara, who just finished fourth at the World Championships, is there. She's from my hometown, and there's Pete Stetina and Jacob Latte. The women's field is superb in terms of names, but not as big as the men's field in terms of numbers."

The race is expected to have over 400 athletes lining up in waves to respect the COVID-19 protocol. For athletes, this is a rare opportunity to race at this time of year.

A shorter 100 km version is also available for riders who want to avoid the rigors of the race, but Brainard expects a mix of riders who want to relax and enjoy the event and hardy athletes who want to compete against each other.

"We have a 100-mile and a 65-mile race, and we originally decided to hold them on the same weekend as the Strade Bianche.

"The gravel roads around here are not very technical, but there is white gravel, and in that sense it mimics Strade. We also give each sector a name and description so that the riders know what they will be facing. The race as a whole is about half road and half gravel."