Gianni Vermeersch thinks route changes may drive riders like Mathieu van der Poel away from Strade: "It has now become really difficult for a classics rider"
Cycling
No Mathieu van der Poel nor Wout Van Aert at this year's Strade Bianche. Convenient explanations are that the race simply doesn't sit well with their spring programmes, but the truth may lie in the recent changes to the route. Since last year, the organizers added extra 30 kilometers, putting the total distance over 200 kilometers. Suddenly, the race seems to favor climber-types.
"Purely as a race, Strade Bianche is one of my favorites, but last year the organizers made it longer," says Gianni Vermeersch in an interview for IDLProCycling.com. "Now the race is 30 or 40 kilometers longer, mostly with climbs. That makes it more of a climbers’ race. It used to be a 50-50 split between climbers and classics riders."
"You would see riders like Cancellara, Stybar, Mathieu, and Wout - the more classics-oriented guys - at the front. But where I could still play a meaningful role before last year, it has now become really difficult for a classics rider to compete for a top result. That’s a bit of a shame because this was one of my favorite races."
Vermeersch will still be on the start line this Saturday, but with less ambition than before - and without his team leader Mathieu van der Poel. "Strade Bianche used to be a race where I had ambitions to compete for a podium," says Vermeersch. "But with the course changes, that ambition has shifted. I think it has become very difficult for a classics rider to get a top result here."
Cyclo-cross = Natural advantage?
There’s long been talk about the advantage cyclo-cross riders have at Strade Bianche due to their handling skills. Former winners like Van Aert, Van der Poel, Zdenek Stybar, Alaphilippe, and Pidcock all came from cyclo-cross. So does having a background in cyclo-cross help? "Cross teaches you a certain technique and riding style that helps you position yourself very efficiently," explains Vermeersch.
"Cyclo-cross is all about passing someone at the right moment - overtaking just before a turn, for example. That’s a crucial skill there, and I think that’s something that always stays with a cyclo-cross rider. It has often been an advantage for me. The fight to get to a sector is often brutal, and if you dare to brake a little later, that’s definitely an edge," Vermeersch concludes.
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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