Sports manager Danny Stam analyses the renewed Strade Bianche 

Danny Stam: ‘I feel there is less gravel than before. It’s washed away a bit. But whether that makes the Strade Bianche less difficult? It certainly won’t make the difference. The new strips are a lot tougher. This course doesn’t lie. That creates a kind of calm in the finale. The strongest will be in the front and whoever has the best legs will come out on top. That was always the case, and it has not diminished after adding those strips.’‘The riders now get to face Le Tolfe and the Colle Pinzuto twice. This might increase the chances for the escapees. In the second part of that local lap, it’s a bit easier. Consequently, this is a nice race for attackers. With Demi Vollering and Elisa Longo-Borghini, there are two riders who might stand out. But behind them, there is a fairly wide group of contenders who could be in a breakaway.’‘Anna van der Breggen faces a good test in the Strade Bianche. After her good races in Setmana Valencia and the Omloop van het Hageland, everyone was a bit euphoric. But those races are not yet of the calibre of the Strade Bianche. This is a tough one-day race, her first at WorldTour level since her comeback. So here, for the first time, we will be able to really establish what 3.5 years out of competition has brought. It is difficult to assess her chances.’‘Lorena Wiebes was keen to ride the Strade Bianche to experience first-hand what this race is really like. We had someone dropping out so we were happy to give this chance to Lorena. After all, she is a rider who always adds something.’‘Blanka Vas is racing for the first time since the cyclocross winter. I think having a chance to win is still too high, but she can go far in the final. We are counting on that too. Mischa Bredewold was already in the breakaway last year and this suits her well. This race lends itself to going on the attack. We will do everything to get that fifth win in a row. But it will definitely not be easy,’ said Danny Stam.