Stephen Clancy is a late call-up to the Novo-Nordisk team for Saturday's Strade-Bianche (1.HC) in southern Italy. It will be a savage test for the Limerick man but he has all the attributes to acquit himself well.
By Brian Canty
Stephen Clancy will race the toughest one-day event of his life this weekend after being drafted into the Novo-Nordisk team for Saturday’s Strade-Bianche (1.HC).
The tough Limerick man was a late call-up and will fly out to Italy from his base in Girona tomorrow before lining up against many of the world’s best Grand Tour and one-day specialists.
It’s going to be a huge test for Clancy, though he has fared well already this year when he finished the Dubai Tour (2.HC) in some very good company.
Advertisement
However, he won’t need any reminding that Saturday presents an entirely different challenge as the season cranks up a few notches.
Race organisers RCS Sport have dubbed Strade Bianche “the northern Classic at the most southern point in Europe” and not without reason.
The 176-kilometre race route includes over 50 kilometres on dirt roads with the race route meandering through the Tuscan hills in a loop south of Siena.
Related News
There are steep climbs and hair-raising descents - often on gravel - while many sections are anything but smooth.
The winner will be an exceptional bike-handler, capable of darting uphill quickly while holding his own on the descents.
Zdenek Stybar, Michal Kwiatkowski, Fabian Cancellara, Moreno Moser and Philippe Gilbert are all previous winners, the latter hoping for a third victory after wins in 2008 and 2012.
Clancy is the only Irishman on the start-list and to finish would be an enormous achievement for him.
If he does manage to get to the line in decent shape, it could open the door for a tilt at Milan-San Remo in two weeks.
Race highlights will be shown on Eurosport from 4.45pm on Saturday.
Clancy has come a long way in a few short years.
Topics
