Van Aert begins Italian campaign at Strade Bianche

# Van Aert Kicks Off Italian Campaign at Strade Bianche

Strade Bianche has rapidly become a staple in the early cycling season, capturing the attention of fans and riders alike with its challenging gravel routes across the scenic landscapes of Tuscany. This year’s race will see a revised course, with some gravel sectors removed, totaling 64 kilometers of gravel roads leading to the historic finish line at Piazza del Campo.

For Wout van Aert, the renowned Belgian cyclist, Strade Bianche marks his second race of the year after launching his season at Le Samyn. “I’m looking forward to racing again in Italy,” he stated. “It’s been a while since I last lined up at the start of Strade Bianche. Together with the team, we decided to skip the race for a few seasons, but this year it’s back on the schedule at my request. The combination of Strade Bianche and Tirreno-Adriatico seems like a good preparation for our other goals later in the spring.”

Van Aert, who claimed victory at Strade Bianche in 2020, hasn’t competed in the race since 2021. His past performances, including a memorable win on these gravel roads during the previous Giro d’Italia, have set high expectations. However, his preparation has faced hurdles, including an ankle injury in the winter and recent illness during early races. “It was nice to open my season at Le Samyn,” Van Aert reflected, “but I’ll arrive at the start in Siena with more question marks than I had hoped.”

Despite the challenges, Van Aert is optimistic. “I had marked Strade Bianche as the first real big goal of the season, but we’ll have to see how I feel on Saturday. In any case, I’m highly motivated to show myself. We’re lining up with a strong team. Matteo has already shown good form in the French spring races. We can definitely aim for a top result.”

The team’s confidence is echoed by their sports director Maarten Wynants, who emphasized Strade Bianche’s reputation as one of the most demanding races on the cycling calendar. “As with other races, meticulous preparation is essential here,” Wynants explained. “Because of the chaos, it’s not easy to make adjustments from the team car, so it’s important to have a clear plan beforehand.”

With a lineup that includes several riders skilled in cyclocross and mountain biking, the team is prepared for the unique challenges of the course. “With Wout, we also have a former winner on the team who has already proven he can perform well here,” Wynants added. “Alongside him, Matteo is one of the leaders. We also have riders like Timo Kielich, who is very capable on the unpaved sectors. We’re looking forward to it.”

As the team gears up for what promises to be a captivating race day, they are ready to embrace the camaraderie and spirit of Italian cycling culture. “Our team is ready for pizza, pasta & Strade Bianche,” they tweeted, embodying the enthusiasm for the challenge ahead.