Wout van Aert is out of Strade Bianche due to the illness he suffered for a few days on his training camp last week
Wout van Aert (Jumbo Visma) is out of Strade Bianche this weekend meaning there will be no re-match on the gravel roads with Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck). The duo went head-to-head last month at the UCI World Cyclocross Championships in the Netherlands, with Van der Poel winning.
Van Aert has been at an altitude camp with his team but he fell ill last week and missed several days of training. That put his plans back a little, meaning he will skip Strade Bianche and will instead start his season at Tirreno-Adriatico (2.UWT), which starts this day week.
"Unfortunately I was not feeling very well for several days last week during the start of my training camp in Tenerife," he said. "Fortunately, it wasn't too bad and I felt better shortly after. However, it affected my training.
Advertisement
Related News
"After taking a break following the cyclocross World Championships, I again lost a few training days in preparation for the season. We decided it's better to stay at altitude longer so I can reach my best shape possible for Tirreno Adriatico.
"We think it's not possible to perform at my best for Strade Bianche. I want to race to win but that isn't possible now. I need a bit more time, but sometimes changing the plan is necessary, that's how things are," he said, adding he was in "good spirits" for the upcoming Flemish spring classics.
Last year's Strade Bianche winner Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) will also miss the race this Saturday as he has opted for a different programme this year, which will include Paris-Nice starting on March 5th.
However, Van der Poel won Strade Bianche two years ago and the absence of Van Aert makes him the favourite. Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-Quick Step), who won the event in 2019 - and took his first win of the season at Faun-Ardèche Classic (1.Pro) at the weekend - will also start Saturday's race with designs on victory.
Another former winner also in great form at present is Tiesj Benoot (Jumbo-Visma), who triumphed over the white roads in Italy in 2018 and yesterday took a solo win in Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne (1.Pro).
More to come.
