Ben Healy, in pink on left, in the front group during last year's Strade Bianche, he now hopes to improve on his 4th place from that race, and maybe even win (Photo: Fabio Ferrari)
Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) said the very difficult final at Strade Bianche (1.UWT) really suits him and he was hopeful he could be at the front in the final and get away on his own.
But he pointed to three-time winner Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) as the favourite, saying the defending champion would be the rider the action unfolds around.
Though the Slovenian was the outstanding rider of the past two seasons, his young Mexican team mate, Isaac del Toro, has made incredible strides. He already has three wins this year - two stages and the GC at UAE Tour - while Pogačar will be starting his 2026 season at Strade Bianche.
Del Toro also won 16 races in the second half of last season, and is improving at a rapid rate. It seems only a matter of time before he and Pogačar get in each other’s way, maybe even clash, when their ambitions collide in a race-winning situation.
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And though such a scenario could play out on the gravel sectors and climbs of Strade Bianche, Healy said the race would likely play out around how Pogačar approaches it.
The Slovenia won solo last year - by over a minute from Tom Pidcock - with Healy 4th at 3:23. This time around, Healy is a much clearer contender, even favourite, for a podium finish. A win would also represent a seamless extension of his progression, though UAE Team Emirates-XRG will be hard to beat.
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"We are here to try and podium the race and I definitely think we can do that. I think I've brought some pretty good legs, so we are looking forward to tomorrow," Healy told reporters after the team presentation on Friday.
Though the 25-year-old is known for his aggressive racing, including long range solo moves, he said he would need to assess Pogačar's approach before deciding on his own strategy.
"I'm just going to make sure I'm there in the end. And if I can sneak away, that would be amazing. It's such a hard final, it really lends into my strengths."
The race is 10km shorter this year - at 203km - with the total distance over gravel reduced by 17km. But Healy said the changes would probably mean the approach to the hardest sector, Santa Maria, would be even "more hectic".
"Other than that, I don't think it changes things too much. For Santa Maria, you've got to be in position anyway, that's where the racing kicks off."
When reminded his team hadn't won a race since his stage 6 victory at the Tour de France last year, Healy replied: "To be honest, I didn't know that."
However, he dismissed the idea it would add to the stress and pressure of Strade. "It's not good to hear, but you never know for tomorrow."
