2022 Strade Bianche, 05/03

[Ilmaestro99]

Seriously after 2021 Liege, 2021 Lombardia and now today, I'm starting to wonder if Valverde is a double agent, signed covertly rider by UAE but infiltrating Movistar. He has consistently been Pogacar best teammate

 

[Red Rick]

Ill admit the chase being *** before the race exploded wasnt all on Valverde. A whole lot of domestiques did nothing there gifting Pog the time that made the others race for 2nd.

Great win for Pogi obv, but sad the race was over so quickly also because Van aert, VdP and a few others werent there

 

[Breezy1985]

I think he has a shot at LBL yes..

but the other races also.

It's everyone else who won't have a shot at LBL anymore

 

[jmdirt]

Chapeau, dominant performance, and great to see Valverde come in second.

Beginning to wonder whether Pog would have a shot at Roubaix, never mind Flanders or LBL.

That would really make the 'hard men of spring' mad!

 

[ice&fire]

Put Carapaz or Superman at the front instead of Pogacar and you'll see a chase by Valverde of epic proportions.

 

[Jumbo Visma Fan :)]

Put Carapaz or Superman at the front instead of Pogacar and you'll see a chase by Valverde of epic proportions.

Lopez would’ve been annihilated by Valverde, Carapaz only broken in spirit.

 

[Netserk]

You think he will finally get 2nd this time?

He did it, toby! Goal achieved.

 

[Red Rick]

He did it, toby! Goal achieved.

Man doesnt let his memes be dreams. Inspiration for all of us

 

[titan31]

My favorite race.

1 minute on a 41 year old. Maybe not as dominant as some think. Perhaps more a result of weak field.

Some of the names in the top 10 signal weak field definitely. We kind of knew that before the start anyway but the crashes didn't help.

 

[Andre]

Just saw the end of the women's race...much better than the men's. Incredible mano a mano battle.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

In the end a podium with a combined tally of seven monuments and three GTs isn't that bad.

 

[perico]

Put Carapaz or Superman at the front instead of Pogacar and you'll see a chase by Valverde of epic proportions.

Superman would’ve missed the break and quit.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

What an epic solo ride by Pogacar! 50 km alone. I didn't expect that, big congrats! His attack was very strong, he quickly gained time on that gravel section probably pushing close to 7 w/kg for 10-15 minutes. At some point about 20 km to go he clearly looked exhausted but found energy reserves needed to get the job done. Congrats to Grandpa Alejandro on his 2nd place - Pog was still in the kindergarden when Bala was winning Vuelta stages. Asgreen deservingly gets a podium place after animating the chasers at 20 km to go. Also there was a terrible crash with about 100 km to go (sudden wind gust) and bad luck to Alaphilippe, who fell and had to chase the peleton (successfully but he paid for it at the end).

 

[zlev11]

really sick ride by Pogacar but the field this year was pretty lame

 

[CyclistAbi]

I usually don't watch this race but due to Pogačar participating i turned on a TV at about 15km to go. Well, about that.

Congrats.

 

[Eeslliw]

Damn, just saw Alaphilippe's crash again. Could have been so much worse, it reminded me of Mohoric's crash last year in Giro.

 

[Leinster]

Some of the names in the top 10 signal weak field definitely. We kind of knew that before the start anyway but the crashes didn't help.

Weak field or no, it’s still a peloton full of World Tour riders, with several monument, classic, GT stage wins in the palmares, and he rode them all off his wheel and solo’d 50km over steep hills and gravel roads to the finish.

Of the missing riders, only a handful in the world could arguably have lived with Pog today, and of those, you’d have to say it’s unlikely any of the others could have won that way in the same situation.

 

[noob]

That Ala crash though... Is he a gymnast or does he wants a career as a stunt actor next?!?! It was quite impressive and almost beautiful. I am impressed :O I have never seen anyone crashing in that aesthetic way before, and he did not even get his clothes dirty :O!

 

[Eeslliw]

That Ala crash though... Is he a gymnast or does he wants a career as a stunt actor next?!?! It was quite impressive and almost beautiful. I am impressed :O I have never seen anyone crashing in that aesthetic way before, and he did not even get his clothes dirty :O!

He even had the presence to jump away from the side of the road to avoid getting hit in the back by other riders. Truly insane.

 

[Jungle Cycle]

incredible solo!!
but i think(!?) he wouldnt have tried from that far if Aert+Pid+MVdP+Ala(w/ no mortal) were in the race..
it doesnt matter.. zero afraid of taking the risk..
chapeau!

 

[Salvarani]

incredible solo!!
but i think(!?) he wouldnt have tried from that far if Aert+Pid+MVdP+Ala(w/ no mortal) were in the race..
it doesnt matter.. zero afraid of taking the risk..
chapeau!

I think it was an in the moment kind of thing. He just kind of went for it. The pace had been up on the hill. A bit of hesitation and riders wanted to breathe. They were spent. Was it Clarke at the front? He had big trouble following Pog and he got 10-15m. Pog noticed and just went full gas from there.

 

[tobydawq]

He even had the presence to jump away from the side of the road to avoid getting hit in the back by other riders. Truly insane.

That was my favourite part too (if you can say that about a crash).

 

[Sciatic]

Did Valverde just race defensively all day for a 2nd and then celebrate like a win? Is he paid by UAE?

It’s his retirement (maybe) tour. And thanking the fans is not such a bad thing.

 

[Lequack]

Amazing race, amazing winner. This race never disappoints, the gravel and those climbs are a brutal combination. Not to mention the scenery. It's a de facto monument now anyways.
That ride by Pogacar todays was just out of this world. That was like vintage Remco.

 

[Lequack]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1500141671958392836

View: https://twitter.com/StradeBianche/status/1500141671958392836?s=20&t=fKu7RTvC5_vq4Q1NOybhEg

https://twitter.com/x/status/1500145251243237376

View: https://twitter.com/TeamEmiratesUAE/status/1500145251243237376?s=20&t=Npxkg5ClmYQLOZdrnFArMA