Former World champion Julian Alaphilippe has won Strade Bianche back in 2019, and this spring he seems to be ready to fight for victory once again as he returned to good form at last in recent weeks.
Leading the Belgian team, Alaphilippe has recently taken the win at the mountainous Faun-Ardèche Classic, a very good sign of the work put in throughout the winter. A pure puncheurs, Alaphilippe will be thrilled with the terrain ahead, where last year he spectacularly crash and somersaulted over his bike.
Whilst last year's third placed Kasper Asgreen is not present, Alaphilippe will be able to count on the support of loyal domestique Dries Devenyns. Andrea Bagioli who's finished second at the Drome Classic and Mauri Vansevenant who's recently won the queen stage and finished second at the Tour of Oman will also be key riders for the team.
Click here to create your own team for the Fantasy Strade Bianche (At least 3,195 USD/3,000 Euro/2,665 GBP in prizes!)
Nevertheless the talent does not end there. The Frenchman will still have the support of Figueira Champions Classic winner Casper Pedersen who's found his best form now with Quick-Step, Davide Ballerini and Pieter Serry.
Soudal - Quick-Step for Strade Bianche: Julian Alaphilippe, Andrea Bagioli, Davide Ballerini, Dries Devenyns, Casper Pedersen, Pieter Serry and Mauri Vansevenant.
If Leonardo Da Vinci had spent more time in Tuscany than in Emilia Romagna with Cesare Borgia during the latter’s campaigns in early 1500s, Mona Lisa would have looked differently today. A story for Saturday, when Soudal Quick-Step will be at the start of @StradeBianche.
