On Saturday all eyes will be on Strade Bianche. Who will follow in Matteo van der Poel’s footsteps on the Tuscan gravel roads? No need to miss a stage of the game on this page. Sporza broadcasts the classic Italian movie live.
Jumbo-Visma is missing a pawn in the Strade Bianche. Tom Dumoulin drops out of school. On the UAE tour, he was already going to suffer from back pain. Leader Tiesj Benoot is backed by Sepp Kuss and Milan Vader, among others.
Benoot: “The Strade is a special race for me. I had my first professional victory here in 2018 and it has always gone well here. I love Tuscany. I feel good again. I will be starting with a lot of confidence, because the team rides great.”
Greg Van Avermaet (AG2R-Citroën) has already placed second on the Strade Bianche twice (in 2015 and 2017). Do not immediately think of winning. “My best chance came through here,” van Avermaet says.
“In the past there were a lot of classic riders in the beginning, but in recent years a lot of good climbers who also do well have also been involved in a day’s work. That doesn’t make it any easier for me.”
“I’m still a 75-77kg rider. You always have to carry that weight with you on those slopes. But that doesn’t change the fact that I still find it a very nice race. That’s why I come back every year to the Strade Bianche.”
The Strade Bianche is a race where the strongest rider wins and everyone always ends up in their place
Greg van Avermaet (AG2R Citroen)
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