Strade Bianche has had a big change to it's dynamics as Tom Pidcock, a pre-race favourite will not be at the startline in Siena due to a stomach virus, INEOS Grenadiers have made the announcement this morning.
"Unfortunately Tom Pidcock will not start Strade Bianche tomorrow due to a stomach virus he's been suffering with since early this week," INEOS announced this morning. Pidcock has won the cyclocross World Championships early in the year making for an incredibly successful start, but after taking a break as expected the form is still on the rise. This weekend at Strade Bianche he was touted as one of the big favourites despite this, but the team will have to go with different cards for the finale.
Jhonatan Narváez is likely to take the team leadership in the roads of Tuscany, he will have the company of Richard Carapaz who has returned from a stint back home in Equador where he won the national time-trial championships and also Carlos Rodríguez. It is unclear if the team will have a substitute for the Briton.
Pidcock is expected to be at the cobbled classics, the Ardennes and the Giro d'Italia later in the year. If everything goes to plan he will return to competition for the first monument of the season at Milano-Sanremo.
UPDATE: Unfortunately @TomPid will not start Strade Bianche tomorrow due to a stomach virus he's been suffering with since early this week. The medical team have taken the decision it's better he returns home to rest ahead of his next race. Rest up, and see you soon Tom 👊
