2021 Strade Bianche Results & Recap
2021 Strade Bianche is in the books. The final results and standings are below, followed by our recap of how the race unfolded.
Race Recap
Van Der Poel reigns supreme in Siena\nBy Clara Beard
Despite downplaying his form in pre-race interviews, Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) left nothing to question today in the 15th edition of Strade Bianche. The Dutch champion accelerated away from a select group of favorites, including world champion Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck - Quick-step), to take a commanding victory in Siena. Van Der Poel made his decisive move on the final climb toward the finish line, beating Alaphilippe by five seconds. Showing surprising gumption in a race not traditionally suited for him, Tour de France victor, Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers), took third. The Colombian's bid to target the upcoming Giro d'Italia looks to be on track.
“Strade is one of the races I really wanted to win, and it’s really cool to win it today," Van Der Poel said. "I felt pretty good, I launched an attack on the last gravel section and I came with Bernal and Alaphilippe in the lead. We did a pretty strong ride the three of us. I felt I had something left in the legs to go all out on the last climb, and amazing to finish it off in this way. I think Julian was a bit tired at the end. He told me that his legs were not that good anymore and normally he always rides full gas with us. He skipped some turns and I knew that he was not lying. It was especially Egan Bernal who gave me a really good impression in the uphill sections, but I knew that the last section was really something for me. I hope [this is the start of a big classics campaign].”
The Strade Bianche always brings the drama regardless of conditions, and this year was no exception. Under dry and dusty conditions, 175 riders took the start line in Siena for 184 kilometres, containing 11 tough gravel sectors. After early breakaways were contained and the lead changed hands a multitude of times, a group of pre-race favorites emerged out of the dust with 65 kilometres to go, including Julian Alaphilippe (DQT), Egan Bernal (IGD), KĂ©vin Geniets (GFC), Michael Gogl (TQA), Thomas Pidcock (IGD), Tadej PogaÄŤar (UAD), Quinn Simmons (TFS), Wout Van Aert (TJV) and Mathieu Van Der Poel (AFC).
With those heavy hitters present at the front, it became apparent the winner would come out of that selection. The leaders exchanged committed attacks, and eventually, it came down to three, Van Der Poel, Alaphilippe, and Bernal. The three fended off a strong chasing group, helped perhaps by its disorganization. Inside the final 10k, Van Der Poel's strength was undeniable, as he threw in a few accelerations to assess his competitor's legs, then delivered the ultimate blow 500 metres from the finish line.
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