"We can try different things" - Quick-Step lead with Alaphilippe but feature several cards for Strade Bianche result
Cycling
Soudal - Quick-Step have had a difficult Opening Weekend, however they look to make up for their lack of big results in the classics this Saturday as Julian Alaphilippe leads he Belgian team at Strade Bianche.
“It’s reassuring, it confirms the work I’ve done in recent weeks," Alaphilippe said recently, regarding his victory at the Faun-Ardèche Classic. “It’s only the start of the season and there’s a lot to do, but it’s a bit of a relief all the same.”
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The Frenchman has won the Italian race in 2019 proving his worth in such terrain. Last year he's suffered from several injuries - including here - and illnesses which largely prevented him from performing throughout the year. Having shown good form in France over the past weekend, Alaphilippe is once again a confident figure.
“We love Strade Bianche, we know how hard and beautiful this race is, and we have a lot of motivation for Saturday,” team DS Davide Bramatti said ahead of the race. “Having several riders who can do something on this course means that we can try different things, so we go into the race with the confidence that a good result is possible.”
Quick-Step will also feature riders such as Andrea Bagioli, Casper Pedersen and Mauri Vansevenant who are within a shot of performing this weekend and obtaining a good result. There will be many high-level contenders within the race but Quick-Step may have some of the best lineups to attack early.
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
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Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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Front24208-11-2026 - On a positive note, you maybe notice turning this topic into a discussion has the benefit of eliminating certain participants who do not see how they can turn it back to their sole interest ;-)Jumpyjohn08-11-2026
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It’s that time of the year again 🤩 #StradeBianche Photo: @BeelWout
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