Strade Bianche: From the Gravel
Pandemic to EPIC!
It's been a year. And this was a race! Though covered in sweat and gravel dust, we were so stoked to be on the scene of this momentous race. Emotional in many ways: a sport we love, roads we love, and athletes we admire bringing back 'normal' with each pedal stroke. Wow, just wow.
We watched the women's event in Monteaperti on a steep gravel section. Mavi Garcia put in a solid solo effort off the front but the big guns were all still together not far behind and impressively fast. Race favorite Annemiek Van Vleuten save her matches until the closing kilometers, catching the solo race leader on the final climb into the walled city for an impressive win. We cheered American Leah Thomas on as she passed by and we were happy to learn she came in third. The women brought it, guys!
For the men's race, we opted to watch from the longest stretch of gravel, the middle of the Monte Sante Marie section, to take it all in. The lead group was solid, with the podium winners crushing it, with 55 km to go. Congrats to Wout Van Aert for staying at the front all day and making the race winning solo move with around 12km to go. Italian cyclist, Davide Formolo came good for 2nd with German National Champ, Maximilian Schachmann rounding out the podium. (As an aside, we saw him riding on our gravel white roads solo yesterday, the day before the race, in the blasting heat, with his team car. We now know he was practice riding the course at the same time heat of the day to prepare. Bravo!).
Despite postponing, and moving from Spring cool weather to Summer scorching heat this year, this event is one of the best. Well organized, exciting and taking in Men's AND Women's races in one glorious gravel day.
Join us next Spring for this bucket list, must see event. You'll pedal the same Strade Bianche and then some. RIDE EXPLORE EXPERIENCE the event and everything Tuscany has to offer. Limited availability, so hold your spot today. Perhaps gather your crew and make this week your very own! Our special promo is still on!
Strade Bianche / Women / 2020 / Monteaperti / 25km to go
