Mathieu van der Poel wins Strade Bianche
Mathieu van der Poel powered victory at Strade Bianche on Saturday, besting some of the biggest names in the peloton in a thrilling finale in Siena.
The reigning world cyclocross champion hit the final climb into the Piazza del Campo with world road champion Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick-Step) and 2019 Tour de France winner Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers), and it was Van der Poel who proved strongest in the end.
Alaphilippe, Van der Poel, and Bernal had powered clear of a slightly larger lead group that included the likes of Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) and Tadej Pogacar (UAE-Team Emirates) on the final gravel sector of the day with around 12 km to go. From there, the trio kept their chasers at bay and rolled into Siena together to contest the victory on the steep ascent to the finish.
Alaphilippe led the group into the last 600 meters before Van der Poel put in the first big dig. Alaphilippe held on to his wheel for a few seconds, but instead of relenting, Van der Poel simply dug harder, and with 500 meters to go, he powered away. Van der Poel ascended into the Piazza del Campo alone to take his first career Strade Bianche victory with an emphatic celebration at the line. Alaphilippe settled for runner-up honors five seconds later with Bernal securing the final spot on the podium 20 seconds back.
More to come …
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