There are few races, if any, that can match the beauty of Strade Bianche. Come Saturday, the narrow white gravel roads that weave through the rolling green hills of Tuscany set the stage for one of the toughest races of the year with 82 kilometers of gravel spread across 16 sectors.
Experience counts for a lot at Strade Bianche. And while IPT riders Jakob Fuglsang, Simon Clarke, Hugo Houle, and Krists Neilands have over 20 participations between them in the race, an opportunity awaits for young guys Riley Sheehan, Nadav Raisberg, and race debutant Joe Blackmore.
After getting a taste for the sterato during Thursday’s recon, Blackmore is looking forward to getting back to his gravel roots.
“I feel really comfortable on the gravel so I’m excited to race on Saturday,” explains Blackmore. “Obviously, it’s a bit different on road bikes to gravel race but we have wider tires and lower pressure so it should be good. I can’t imagine doing the race in cross winds and rain but the conditions are looking good on Saturday.”
Blackmore is no doubt set for a baptism by fire, something Sheehan experienced in his debut last year when he crossed the line in last place, just two seconds inside the time cut. He returns knowing what to expect and hungry to race.
“Last year was tough, coming in off a tough Opening Weekend the weekend before where I got slapped in the face on one side and then Strade Bianche slapped me on the other side,” Sheehan says laughing. “I’m really excited to be back, I know what to expect, and I know my level is better than it was last year. I think with the team we have, we have a lot of cards to play and with how hard the race looks now, it’s going to be a good race for our team as I think we can all back each other up.”
While IPT isn’t lining up as race favorites, Head Sports Director Sam Bewley is confident in the team’s approach.
“Strade Bianche is a race that favors the brave and we will look to race aggressively to take whatever opportunities present themselves in the race,” adds Bewley. “Our young guys like Joe and Riley are future leaders and deserve the opportunity to have the support of the team so we will back them in the race, while giving the other guys, especially the likes of Jakob and Simon, free cards to go with moves in the critical moments of the race. Sectors five through to nine are going to be really crucial and with the introduction of the new sector seven, it’s going to be a tough middle section which could prove decisive.”
