Cycling: Cross World Champion beats Road World Champion! Mathieu van der Poel won the Strade Bianche. The Dutch champion left Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe behind in the difficult one-day race through Tuscany with start and finish in Siena. Austria's Michael Gogl was a strong sixth.
Mathieu van der Poel explosive like never before
Dash up and away Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix), Egan Bernal (Ineos) and Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck - Quick Step). When the Dutch champion attacked 12 kilometers from the finish in the last gravel sector, only the world champion could follow. After the 2019 tour winner was able to make contact a little later, the trio drove together towards Siena. The places on the podium were taken at the 15th Strade Bianche. But the decision about victory only brought the final ramp to the Piazza del Campo. And although Egan Bernal and Julian Alaphilippe are also considered quite explosive uphills, they looked like amateurs in the last 500 meters. Mathieu van der Poel heaved his powerful body up to the market square in a remarkable sprint - and nobody could even come close to defying him.
Early selection by Alaphilippe
A preliminary decision was made 52 kilometers before the finish line by World Champion speeding up Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) forced. This allowed the co-favorites to be identified early on greg van avermaet (AG2R - Citroën), Jakob Fuglsang (Astana-Premier Tech), Tim Wellens (Lotto – Soudal) and Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) be distanced. unlucky Quinn Simmons (Trek – Segafredo), who was in the first group but then dropped back due to a defect. So the 7 professionals at the front of the race finally decided the victory among themselves. When Julian Alaphilippe launched another attack 22 kilometers before the finish, last year's winner revealed wout van aert (Jumbo – Visma) first weaknesses.
Walsleben in the breakaway group
Before things really got down to business in the peloton at the 15th edition of Strade Bianche, 8 breakaways shaped the course of the race. Among other things, the German went Philip Walsleben (Alpecin – Fenix) went on the offensive to relieve his teammates. However, there were no realistic chances of a successful escape. The Jumbo - Visma team controlled well before the finish for last year's winners wout van aert the pace of the peloton. A total of 184 kilometers – including 63 kilometers on white gravel – had to be completed in pleasant temperatures.
🇳🇱 Mathieu van der Poel wins the 🇮🇹 Strade Bianche!
What. At. attack 🚀🔥#StradeBianchepic.twitter.com/9uHjIEQewT
— Cyclocross24.com (@cyclocross24) March 6, 2021