On a gorgeous but windy day in Tuscany, the ninth Strade Bianche saw much of the peloton dusted up and out well before the last 10km when it was apparent that the winner would be one of Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), Greg van Avermaet (BMC) or Zdenek Stybar (Etixx-Quick Step). They were pedal for pedal until the last crushing incline saw Stybar put the others to the sword with a kick and a win.
It may only be in its ninth edition, but Strade Bianche already holds a special place in the hearts of many cycling fans. It features all the hard racing, tough parcours and cold-hearted tactics that we love about the northern spring races, but for me it’s the fact that the battle plays out against such a stunning backdrop that fascinates.
After a month’s hiatus, the 2015 WorldTour continues with Paris-Nice. The Race to the Sun: 1,141 kilometres from the overcast Parisian suburbs to the sunshine of the Cote d’Azur. Continue reading