We’re back racing (for how long is anyone’s guess) and Saturday was the beautiful Strade Bianche, which in its elegance can rip the guts out of the riders. It was #hothot, dustier than a dusty thing from Dusty Town and, as always, had those thrilling moments that brought us to the edge of our sofas, as we shouted Wout! Wout! And, just like that, after four months in lockdown, Tweets of the Week is BACK!
Wout! Wout!
Strade Bianche was a race that, over the past few years, has broken Wout Van Aert‘s heart. Cramping on the final climb while battling Bedhead Bardet in his first podium in 2018, then watching Alaphilippe riding away in 2019.
He must have taken notes from 2019 because once the lead group was winnowed to about six men, WVA kept an eye out for that moment when he could break away. And this was it …
It’s been a long break – I couldn’t have been happier to see NYVelocity during yesterday’s race.
I think that MVdP might now realise that winning every race he starts on the road is not going to be a given. An ill-timed puncture put paid to any podium hopes for the wunderkind.
After two podiums (and two heartbreaks), Wout Van Aert judged his getaway and rode solo to the win
There were some highly sensual films and photos of Wout with his water bottle. Never before had I realised the resemblance to a young Mick Jagger (and I don’t mean Rigoberto Uran). He’s definitely a rock star now.
And a tear or two during his national anthem
When a rider wins a race, everyone on the team shares in it.
This is what TDG was talking about … but I can’t see past that GREAT hair!
It was a hard man’s race
Alaphilippe – defending champion of the race – had, as Fabs would say, ‘a shit day of #unluck’ – six punctures and a tumble or two. But he finished.
Greg Van Avermaet had hoped to finally win Strade this year. But at a critical point in the race, he needed to ride hard to get himself back up to the lead group. He went so deep, he vomited (don’t worry, that’s not a link to a picture)- but he still came in 10th.
PhilGil #hothot after the race. But his big race is on Saturday – MilanSanRemo to complete his set of five monuments.
Possibly one of the craziest tweets of the day but oh how I love it!
The cheek
There were other races
Route d’Occitane started on the weekend
Looks like Egan Bernal is using the Route d’Occitanie to try to show that the ‘trio of leaders’ Tour plan is a load of malarkey.
Vuelta a Burgos showed that QuickStepper Remco Evenepoel didn’t let the break in racing affect his winning ways.
The Gruppetto
Just gotta give a shoutout to our masked friend, Lukas
Hurrah!
I have to agree with Panache – this is a lovely kit.
Revolution …