Official: Mathieu van der Poel leads Alpecin-Deceuninck at Strade Bianche

Mathieu van der Poel is starting his road season in one of the most off-road races in the calendar. Strade Bianche is seeing the return of it's 2021 winner as the leader of Alpecin-Deceuninck.

After taking a two-week break the Dutch rider restarted his training ahead of the season. Van der Poel conquered a fifth Cyclocross world title this February, and has now without the pressure on his shoulders prepared for a debut alongside his road teammates. In 2021 he's won the Italian classic in spectacular fashion and he begins the race this Saturday as a big favourite.

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He will be supported by a well rounded team including off-road specialists Gianni Vermeersch and Samuel Gaze who should be great support in the technical sectors. Sixth in 2021 Michael Gogl is now a teammate, and Robert Stannard will be another important weapon in this terain.

The team, which will surely have responsibilities of controlling the breakaway early in the day, is completed by Oscar Riesebeek and Fabio van den Bossche.

Alpecin-Deceuninck for Strade Bianche: Mathieu van der Poel, Gianni Vermeersch, Samuel Gaze, Michael Gogl, Oscar Riesebeek, Robert Stannard and Fabio van den Bossche.