ProTeam Maxim Van Gils rides to the podium at the Strade Bianche
Lennert Van Eetvelt predicted it before the race: "All eyes are on 'a white Slovenian' today." With 80 kilometers to go, Tadej PogaÄar indeed went solo. The rest- with Maxim Van Gils and Van Eetvelt strong in the chasing group- had no choice but to follow. “I was so nervous in the beginning of the race. We went so hard. At first, I tried to follow Tadej, then I could have stayed in his wheel. But there were some other riders before me and they didn’t have an answer to the attack. Tadej took off and was gone. He was just too strong”, tells Maxim Van Gils.
On the gravel section Le Tolfe the Belgian duo attacked, Van Gils eventually went solo in the chase on the lonely leader. “I was hoping to take some others with me, but no one was following.” With still 20 kilometers to the finish, Van Gils got Skujiņš as a companion. On the mythical Via Santa Caterina Van Gils took a third podium spot: "I knew Strade Bianche suited me, but this is the confirmation that I can compete with the big boys. It feels really good to know that I've taken a new step here", says a happy Van Gils. “I’m completely exhausted now, but I'm super happy with this performance.”
Arjen Livyns crashed and was taken to the hospital for a check-up. He needed 4 stitches above his right eye, has lots of abrasions on his right shoulder and back. His shoulder needs an X-ray in Belgium to rule out a dislocation. Luckily Arjen has no concussion.
Photos: PhotoNews