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Everyone was waiting for a spectacular show at Strade Bianche, and both men’s and women’s races were held in style.
Chantal van den Broek-Blaak won the victory for SD Worx after the team returned to dominating the race. However, it was not easy for the Dutch team, as the resistance of Elisa Longo Borghini kept the race on the razor’s edge until the final minutes.
Mathieu van der Poel put the hammer in the men’s race with two mind-boggling attacks from a group of leading stars. The Dutchman’s performance was a wake-up call for the coming season, but Strade showed that there are many in the pack ready to face him.
Race report: Chantal van den Broek-Blaak delivers victory to SD Worx
Race report: Mathieu van der Poel wins with a devastating final attack
So, what were the prosecutors and shakers saying after the confrontation on the white roads of Tuscany? Here’s what:
Elisa Longo Borghini shows courage and grace
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Elisa Longo Borghini came in second after being defeated by an SD Worx power-play on Saturday.
The Italian champion countered van den Broek-Blaak’s decisive attack on the stretch to Siena and was forced to tow her Dutch rival for the crucial final climb, while SD Worx accumulated numbers in the group he was chasing just a few hundred meters behind.
Longo Borghini led van den Broek-Blaak in the opening shot of the ascent to Siena, but ran out of fuel when van den Broek-Blaak accelerated his winning move.
“I was not frustrated or angry. I just wanted to try to make van den Broek-Blaak go, and sometimes you have to try to make the other one work, ”said Longo Borghini about doing all the traction in the final kilometers. “I knew for sure that she wouldn’t be working with me, as I usually let Chantal fall on a climb like this. Of course, today, she had something more on her legs at the end than I did. “
“Chapeau for her for the victory because it is important and special,” she continued. “Getting to Piazza del Campo di Siena is just beautiful and a victory to enjoy.”
Egan Bernal surprises everyone – including himself
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The select group of seven that formed in the final gravel sector contained all the usual suspects – Alaphilippe, van Aert, van der Poel – and Egan Bernal. The former Tour de France champion was on the starting sheet, but was barely mentioned before the race, but showed the world that his recent battle against an injury may be over and that he is more than just a three-week diesel.
Bernal finished third after returning to van der Poel and Alaphilippe when the pair went free in the final gravel sector. The Colombian was eliminated by van der Poel’s massive attack on the decisive climb, but third place was more than anyone expected – including himself.
“I am a little surprised to be in the top three because I am not a one-day racing expert, so going up on the podium with Mathieu and Julian is a great honor for me. I am very surprised and motivated for my next goals ”, he said.
“I have to be happy about this. I’m not an expert on classics, so it’s more difficult for me. I want to enjoy this place on the podium and then wait for my big, big goals. It was hard for me to beat those two. “
Annemiek van Vleuten oscillating at the limit of excellence
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Annemiek van Vleuten was more offensive than ever on Saturday, backing off attacks on the last handful of gravel sections before launching her own hay on La Tolfe’s off-road climb.
Van Vleuten continued the battle for the final five kilometers after Longo Borghini and van den Broek-Blaak escaped, and she launched one of the first accelerations in the race for third place on the way up to the square. Although “AVV” was reviewed by van der Breggen in the last few hundred meters and left to settle for fourth place, she consoled herself with her progress after a subpar performance at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad last weekend.
“I had everything I needed – I just wasn’t able to finish it. I am especially pleased that I did not make any mistakes after a really disappointing Omloop, when I lost sight of the front due to a bad position, ”she said.
“I am very proud of how I reacted during the race, always in a good place and doing what I needed to do. It is not far – it will be there soon. “
Julian Alaphilippe goes down swinging
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Julian Alaphilippe started the race in the last gravel section of La Tolfe with a short attack. The Frenchman’s move started the race, and he was the first to contain van der Poel’s explosive acceleration on the steep rock climb a few kilometers later.
Alaphilippe was again the first to counterattack when van der Poel did an acceleration test on the climb to Siena, but when the Dutchman started the turbo to launch his winning shot a few seconds later, the world champion had no answer.
“Mathieu was very strong – I don’t regret it. Sure, I would have preferred to win, but in the end, I’m happy to be on the podium with the rainbow shirt. I am not disappointed, because I really gave everything. I’ve had cramps in the last few kilometers. Mathieu was simply better, so I have to congratulate him, ”said Alaphilippe.
“Upon arriving in Siena, I did everything I could and that meant arriving as runner-up. But I feel that the shape is getting where I want it, so this is good, it makes me look forward to the next races. “
Tom Pidcock encouraged by increasing progress
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Tom Pidcock made his way to the stellar group of seven that emerged in front of the 12 km race to go.
The WorldTour rookie had problems with Alaphilippe’s initial attack, but slowly but surely managed to return to the group. When van der Poel made the selective move a few minutes later, Pidcock was removed from the contest and left to fight for fourth place in the chase group.
The Briton finished fifth in Siena, but after an offensive race at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and a podium at Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne last weekend, Pidcock continues to impress and is as confident as ever.
“I am very happy with the way I went, I didn’t think I got on very well, but … yes, it was good fun,” he said.
“I just didn’t have the legs to go faster [when van der Poel attacked] to be honest, ”he continued. But I can’t complain, I am up there with these guys. It will take a few more runs, a little more experience, miles on the legs, and I’m sure I’ll be there soon. “