A podium on the STRADE BIANCHE and 2 wins : EKOÏ shines thanks to the young riders from Lotto-Dstny

STRADE BIANCHE

15 sectors of white gravel roads (71.2 kms), 215 kilometres, 3674 metres of ascent, start and finish in the Piazza del Campo. The 18th edition of the Strade Bianche lived up to all its promises.

Offensive throughout the race, 24-year-old Belgian puncheur Maxim Van Gils of Lotto-Dstny took a strong third place in this atypical World Tour event.

Statement from the winner: "At the start of the race, I was very nervous. Once the race was launched by Tadej Pogacar's attack, I tried to follow him, I could have stayed in his wheel, but there were other riders ahead of me and they had no answer to this attack (...) When I attacked, I was hoping to take other riders with me, but nobody followed me. I knew that this race was right for me, it's confirmation that I can compete with the big riders."

GP J-P MONSERE

The following day saw the GP Jean-Pierre Monseré held in Belgium. A race marked by crashes and withdrawals due to the cold and rain. The day's winner, Jarne Van de Paar of Lotto-Dstny, didn't suffer from the extreme conditions and won the race after a sprint.

The 23-year-old gave us a clear analysis: "Most of the riders were extremely cold, but for me it wasn't too bad (...) It was tough, because we had to ride in the rain all day".

And about the sprint: "It was very chaotic (...) it was a question of waiting and not going too fast. Lionel Taminiaux and Joshua Giddings placed me perfectly.

Note the third place of D.Dekker for Arkéa-B&B Hôtels.

GP CRIQUIELION

Alec Segaert (21, Lotto-Dstny) won the Grand Prix Criquielion (1.1), contested over a distance of 200 kilometres between Ath and Lessines (Hainaut). He succeeds Australian Sam Welsford. Jenthe Biermans (Arkéa-B&B Hôtels) came third.

EKOÏ gear: AR14 helmet and Premium90 goggles (for Jarne)

photo credit: photonews