Cycling: So far it just shouldn't work. Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe) has tried the Strade Bianche one-day race six times. It has never been enough for a win so far. The world champion will attack again on Saturday. We are looking at the exciting Strade Bianche race, which is one of the most interesting events of every year in cycling.
Strade Bianche is on Peter Sagan's wish list
There aren't many races that do Peter Sagan really wants to win in his life, but hasn't managed to do it despite several attempts. One of them is Paris-Roubaix, another Strade Bianche. On Saturday, the pros will be racing down the white streets of Italy again. The profile runs over 184 kilometers from Siena in a southeasterly direction and back to Siena. There are no fewer than eleven sectors to overcome on gravel. Since it is usually dusty when crossing these passages and they make the race so unique, it was named after these white streets (Strade Bianche). Although Peter Sagan has competed six times and this profile should actually suit him, he has never been able to win Strade Bianche. It should finally work on the seventh attempt.
Van Avermaet & Kwiatkowski are among the favorites - Matthews is absent
As Strade Bianche tends to be exciting from start to finish, it will again be impossible to predict the crucial moment in advance this season. At this cycling event, only those who are always on guard and are spared from breakdowns and falls can triumph. The wavy and at the same time rough profile suits the classic specialists. Last year won Michal Kwiatkowski (sky), who triumphed in 2014 and could draw level with Fabian Cancellara with another win. greg van avermaet (BMC) – just like Sagan – has never won here, but – like Sagan – has already finished second twice. Unfortunately I can't take part this year Michael Matthews (Sunweb). The Australian is out due to a fractured shoulder. Even his start at Tirreno-Adriatico is in danger.
Greg Van Avermaet:
“Strade Bianche is a pretty honest race so I'm looking forward to it. It's one of my favorite races and I hope the weather is okay because I don't really like the cold or the rain.”
Is Wout Van Aert more than just a secret favorite to win?
In 2018 Strade Bianche will be held for the twelfth time. More than 60 kilometers have to be covered on the white roads. The weather decides whether it will be a rather dusty or a muddy race. The weather forecast is currently saying that Greg Van Avermaet will at least not get his dream weather. Cool temperatures, strong winds and even rain are forecast. All 18 WorldTour teams are at the start. Added to this are Androni-Sidermec, Nippo-Vini Fantini and Verandas Willems-Crelan, for the Crosser Wout van aert moves. We can be particularly excited about him, as the terrain definitely suits him. From a German point of view, we look up above all Maximilian schachmann (Quick Step Floors). While he certainly won't be captain, given his form, it wouldn't surprise us to see a good performance from him.
You can follow the Strade Bianche cycling spectacle live on TV from 14:00 p.m. on Eurosport 2.