Gallery: A tactical master class at the women’s Strade Bianche
The rain held off but SD Worx did not. It was clear, when the super team had 4 of the front 11, that they would grab hold of the race. The only question was, which one of them would end up off the front?
Chantal van den Broek-Blaak wasn’t supposed to win on Saturday. She was following moves, and followed the right one. Elisa Longo Borghini pushed on but couldn’t break her.
Rhode van Elsen and the Grubers, Ashley and Jered, were on hand to capture what is always one of the most photogenic races of the year.
World champ Anna van der Breggen interviewed before the start. ©RhodePhoto 
Lauren Stephens early in the race. 
Anybody need a wheel? ©RhodePhoto 
©RhodePhoto 
An early crash for Lizzy Banks. ©RhodePhoto 
Iconic scenes from an iconic race. ©RhodePhoto 
Lotte Kopecky and Niam Fisher-Black off the front. ©RhodePhoto 
©RhodePhoto 
The peloton, still together. ©RhodePhoto 
A counter-attack of eight riders went with 36 km to go which really kicked off the excitement. That move included last year’s runner-up Mavi Garcia (Alé BTC Ljubljana), Flanders 2020 winner Van den Broek-Blaak, and Trek-Segafredo’s Ellen van Dijk. ©RhodePhoto 
Two legends on the white roads of Tuscany. Annemiek van Vleuten showed glimmers of her normal dominance, but couldn’t finish it off. Marianne Vos wasn’t far off, either. ©RhodePhoto 
Elisa Longo Borghini wants this race, bad. She came oh-so close yet again. ©RhodePhoto 
©RhodePhoto 
©RhodePhoto 
Flat tire…bad luck for Belgian National Champion Lotte Kopecky (BEL/Liv racing). ©RhodePhoto 
Chantal van den Broek-Blaak takes the win. ©RhodePhoto 
A hard day out. ©RhodePhoto 
©RhodePhoto 
That stare after 1km at 15% into Siena. 
SD Worx is on top, and plans to stay there. ©RhodePhoto 
A little bubbly for their efforts. ©RhodePhoto 
©RhodePhoto 
Movistar is looking like a force to be reckoned with this season. 
A painful day for Debora Silvestri (Top Girls Fasso Bortolo)
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