Strade Bianche 2021: Drama on Tuscany’s Unforgiving White Roads
The 18th edition of Strade Bianche proved to be a challenge like never before, with riders taking on 215km, including 71km of gravel and 15 treacherous sectors of white roads. This gravel Classic has swiftly evolved into a prominent event in the world of professional cycling since its inception in 2007.
The race was a spectacle of mud-covered faces, a peloton engulfed in dust, unfortunate crashes, tire punctures, and culminated with a grueling final climb to Siena’s iconic Piazza del Campo. Despite facing setbacks, Lennard Kämna displayed remarkable determination, finishing 20th behind the impressive Tadej Pogačar.
In the aftermath of the race, DS Enrico Gasparotto reflected on the team’s challenging day, stating, “it was definitely not our day! We had a good plan and the boys showed full commitment. Unfortunately a crash took down Dani Martínez, Sergio Higuita, Jonas Koch, Giovanni Aleotti, and Patrick Gamper. In a race like that, it’s almost impossible to come back after hitting the deck at the wrong moment. Lennard Kämna was our last man standing in the chase group and ultimately fought to finish 20th.”
Despite the obstacles faced by the team, Strade Bianche remains an event that demands unwavering resilience and displays of sheer determination on the demanding Tuscan terrain.
