2018 Strade Bianche, 1.UWT, 03.03.18

[El Pistolero]

Valverde once again gets destroyed in a real classic where they don't wait for the final hill.

 

[Red Rick]

Tiesj Benoot. So well deserved.

Great rides by Bardet and van Aert

 

[Arredondo]

Amazing win! One of the best perfomances of the past years!

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Absolutely wonderful win by Benoot. Great podium too.
Chapeau Riders.

 

[ppanther92]

Benoot was simply the strongest today. Look at the time gap 20 km from the finish. It was aroud one minute on Valverdde for him at the finish its 1:21.

 

[Simurgh]

I love this race most of all

 

[RedheadDane]

My cheeks hurt!

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Valverde strongest of the pre-race favorites

Well done by Van Aert, Power, Serry and Muhlberger, didnt expect them so high

 

[Carols]

I love Strade Bianche and this was a grand edition. Chapeau Benoot, he did everything right!

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Re:

I love this race most of all

 

[hfer07]

not a single SKY rider in the top 10?? that's intolerable!!!

 

[Red Rick]

Re:

Valverde once again gets destroyed in a real classic where they don't wait for the final hill.

Many riders you claim to be far superior got destroyed a lot worse today. This is an admirable effort from Valverde

 

[jaylew]

Re:

Valverde once again gets destroyed in a real classic where they don't wait for the final hill.

Really? This is your takeaway from the race? What a hater...

And Gilbert?

 

[SafeBet]

63 consecutive top10 without a win.
And the this.

Champion.

 

[Laplaz]

Chapeau also to Bardet and Van Aert, didn't rated them that high for today.

 

[Cance > TheRest]

So, did Sagan have a mechanical and is that the reason why he was with 2 teammates at some point?

 

[fauniera]

Well done Benoot. Happy for him. Curious what he will do in April.

 

[Orbit501]

So pleased for Benoot. That was absolutely lovely to watch.

 

[El Pistolero]

Re: Re:

Valverde once again gets destroyed in a real classic where they don't wait for the final hill.

Many riders you claim to be far superior got destroyed a lot worse today. This is an admirable effort from Valverde

Losing is losing.

Those other riders have at least won real races before.

I rate Valverde about as high as Cavendish.

 

[Gigs_98]

Top 10 for Mühlberger is a really good result, that said I still don't understand what happened to Bora. I guess since Sagan was dropped by Stybar and Valverde he wouldn't have won anyway, but it's inexcusable to be out of contention for the win so early despite such a strong team.

 

[ppanther92]

Mühlberger seems also very strong this year. Three races, three time top 10. Today while working for Sagan even.

 

[Arnout]

Great race. You have to wonder whether there's just a different mentality here than in LBL (looking at Valverde's fake attack I'd say it's probable). It's possible to beat the favorites if you don't just try to follow their wheels.

 

[El Pistolero]

Re:

Great race. You have to wonder whether there's just a different mentality here than in LBL (looking at Valverde's fake attack I'd say it's probable). It's possible to beat the favorites if you don't just try to follow their wheels.

It is, LBL is no longer raced seriously. Take away its monument status and give it to Strade Bianche.

 

[DFA123]

Re:

Great race. You have to wonder whether there's just a different mentality here than in LBL (looking at Valverde's fake attack I'd say it's probable). It's possible to beat the favorites if you don't just try to follow their wheels.

I think the time of the year is a big factor in that. Everyone wanting to win LBL is in absolute peak condition by the time LBL comes around - and their domestiques as well. It's not the case here so it's a lot more unpredictable and a lot more uncertainty regarding who can and should be closing down attacks.

Also, there are so many fairly evenly matched contenders in this race that it become difficult for them to work together and close someone down, without massively sacrificing their own chances.

 

[phanatic]

Re:

63 consecutive top10 without a win.
And the this.

Champion.

Really memorable first win.