A spring Monument at the height of summer, a revised parcours due to a skirmish with coastal towns who refused to host the race, a last minute change making the race weigh in at a record 305km, and each team allowed only six riders so that the organisers could invite a total of 27 teams to participate. But to use a well-worn French phrase, Plus ca change plus c’est la meme chose, because, as is tradition, it was the final 30km when the race kicked off, the Cipressa and Poggio made the selections and at the finish line, it came down to half a wheel length between the champion – Wout Van Aert – and the former champion. Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-QuickStep).

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