Tom Pidcock, Olympic mountain bike champion, played off the dirt roads of the Strade Bianche to conquer Saturday March 4, in Siena, a prestigious victory after a great solo number, ahead of the Frenchman Valentin Madouas.

No new victory for Mathieu van der Poel (consecrated in 2021) or Julian Alaphilippe (winner in 2019), the two favorites of the day, who did not have the legs to join the fight.

And it is for the first time a Briton who puts his name on the list of winners of the demanding Tuscan race of 184 kilometers. 

The rider from the Ineos-Grenadier formation, presented as a future tenor of cycling monuments, gave a first push 50 kilometers from the line to get out of the peloton and join two breakaway riders.

Then he took off alone to victory 23 km from the goal, taking advantage of a new section of dirt, dropping the Italian Alessandro De Marchi with disconcerting ease. 

"It will take a little time to become aware of this victory, it's quite incredible", reacted the rider from Leeds, who had struck a blow during his first Tour de France, last year, becoming the youngest winner in the history of the event in Alpe d'Huez.

"When I went it wasn't the plan but I pulled a gap and carried on. Honestly this week I had a good feeling and I felt like it could be my day,” he added.

Change of bike

Five runners however tried until the end to spoil the beautiful afternoon of the 23-year-old Briton, even returning to only fifteen seconds six kilometers from the goal despite a not always optimal agreement.

But they had to give up on the climb to Siena, faced with the flawless pedal stroke of Tom Pidcock, and Valentin Madouas was the strongest to take a good second place, 20 seconds behind.

The Frenchman from Groupama-FDJ, third last year in the Tour of Flanders, was two seconds ahead of the Belgian Tiesj Benoot (Jumbo-Visma), winner in 2018.

"I'm really very happy with this podium, it validates the winter work. It's still a shame to come so close to victory. I had the legs to do better", commented Valentin Madouas, who had to change bikes and provide a big effort to come back after a fall 70 kilometers from the line. 

His teammate Romain Grégoire takes a very good eighth place for his first race in the World Tour category (at 1 min 18 sec). 

"I was a little scared doing the reconnaissance, it was so hard, I thought it was going to be a really bad day. But it's really a great race, I had fun and I would have really want to come back", commented the beginner, who finished covered in dust in a race where Julian Alaphilippe like Mathieu van der Poel quickly had to lower the flag.

Demi Vollering wins the women's edition

Saturday March 4 was also the women's edition of the Strade Bianche.

It was the Dutch Demi Vollering, second in the last Tour de France, who won by styling on the line, in Siena, her teammate Lotte Kopecky, defending champion. 

A few moments of confusion followed the finish in the famous piazza del Campo, in the heart of the Tuscan city, because neither of the two SD Worx riders knew who had won this 9th women's edition. 

But it was the Dutchwoman who, after 136 km on Tuscan roads and dirt roads, outstripped the Belgian Kopecky by a gut, who seemed to be flying towards her second consecutive victory.

"Maybe it was a surprise for Lotte that I won, but it was a nice finish I think," said the winner after the line.

"I worked a lot for the team in this race, it means a lot to me to win today," she added.

The American Kristen Faulkner (Jayco), picked up 600 meters from the line on the last ascent after entering the lead in Siena, finished third, 18 seconds away.

Dutch Annemiek van Vleuten, winner in 2019 and 2020, finished fifth at 2 min 01 sec. 

With AFP

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