Cycling: That was cycling at its finest! As expected, the Strade Bianche once again gave us an epic race. Tiesj Benoot (Lotto Soudal) won the rainy mud fight through Tuscany after an incredible race to catch up as a soloist. The Belgian attacked from a group of pursuers and was able to close the gap to the front on his own. After that he also left Romain Bardet (AG2R) and Wout Van Aert (Vérandas Willems-Crelan) and arrived in Siena as a soloist. Unbelievable: This win at Strade Bianche was Tiesj Benoot's first professional win.
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Strade Bianche as usual: pure chaos
The hot phase of the Strade Bianche 2018 started quite early. Numerous attacks were launched at the beginning of the cycling highlight, but initially none of them were promising. On the first gravel passages, the field divided and the ten-man lead group formed. Among those present were Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data) and Pierre Latour (AG2R La Mondiale). After the chaotic peloton had calmed down a bit, the fugitives were caught 60 kilometers from the finish line. Again there were several attacks, which increased the tempo and formed several groups again. Entering the often decisive gravel section of San Marino in Grania, world cyclocross champion Wout Van Aert (Vérandas Willems-Crelan) took over the pace. A peloton was long gone, as were the riders' jerseys, which were spattered with mud.
Wout Van Aert & Romain Bardet attempt the long escape
After an attack by Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) was thwarted, Romain Bardet (AG50R La Mondiale) attacked with 2km to go. The Frenchman was joined by Belgian Wout Van Aert, who made a strong impression on more or less familiar terrain. Behind them, the pace slowed and the group grew. However, a proper pursuit could not be organized because the helpers kept falling away when there were new attacks - and then the favorites looked at each other again. The top duo extended the lead to over a minute. Finally, the Belgians had Tiesj Benoot (Lotto Soudal) and Pieter Serry (Quick-Step Floors) the fax thick. They went in pursuit together. Meanwhile, another chasing group formed behind them - but without the top favorites. Among others, the Swiss Stefan Küng (BMC) and the Austrian Gregor Mühlberger (Bora-hangrohe) were there.
Two duos become two trios
15 kilometers from the finish, a new racing situation arose. Tiesj Benoot left Pieter Serry standing and closed the gap to the Van Aert/Bardet duo with a snap action. Serry, in turn, was caught by Italian Giovanni Visconti (Bahrain-Merida) and Australian Robert Power (Mitchelton-Scott). Behind the two trios you slowly lost track, as only limited TV cameras were on the move. However, it was difficult to assume that the group of favorites would not be able to make the leap to the front. They were far too divided because hardly anyone had a helper at their side and many in a group ahead had a colleague. In the last steep gravel section after Le Tolfe, one expected an attack from crosser Wout Van Aert - but it didn't come. Instead, Tiesj Benoot continued to pull the horn, leaving his companions standing. Meanwhile, Alejandro Valverde and Zdenek Stybar (Quick-Step Floors) were able to catch up with the trio Visconti/Power/Serry.
This is the #StradeBianche! Afzien met de modder op je zicht pic.twitter.com/Y3VqGDjkGj
— Eurosport Nederland (@Eurosport_NL) March 3, 2018
Tiesj Benoot celebrates his first pro win
Although Romain Bardet and Wout Van Aert tried everything together, the forces were no longer there. Tiesj Benoot was able to extend his lead kilometer by kilometer and drove towards his first victory as a professional. The Belgian turns 24 in eight days. He has already given himself the best gift today. He already used the final climb in the old town of Siena to roll out and cheer. On the iconic Piazza del Campo, Bardet finished second ahead of Van Aert. Gradually, the next professionals rolled in: Valverde, Visconti and Power. Austria's Mühlberger drove to a strong tenth place. Teammate Sagan finished eighth.
For the women, the fourth edition of the Strade Bianche went to the Dutch Anna van der Breggen (Boels-Dolmans). She won by a solo ahead of Poland's Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon SRAM Racing), who finished second for the third straight year. The podium was completed by last year's Italian winner Elisa Longo Borghini (Wiggle High5).
Tiesj Benoot vince la 12a Strade Bianche @NamedSport>. Congratulations! |@TiesjBenoot wins the 12th Strade Bianche #NamedSport>. Congratulations! #StradeBianche pic.twitter.com/bwyZQP2POk
— Strade Bianche (@StradeBianche) March 3, 2018