Even without Wout van Aert, Belgium had a strong presence at Strade Bianche, with three riders finishing in the top ten. However, the race was once again dominated by Tadej Pogacar, who delivered another masterclass on the gravel roads of Tuscany. The relentless pace took its toll on the peloton, with the final hour proving to be a brutal test of endurance.
Gianni Vermeersch secured an impressive seventh-place finish, a result he was pleased with, though he couldn’t help but wonder what might have been. Speaking to ‘Nieuwsblad’ after the race, he reflected on his performance: “I said beforehand that a top-ten finish would be great, so I’m very happy with seventh. When our chasing group split, I had just reached for a water bottle. Unfortunate timing, but I could already feel cramps coming on. For a moment, the lights just went out.”
Like many others, Vermeersch admitted that reacting to Pogacar’s attacks is nearly impossible, as they often come too late for anyone to mount a challenge. Once again, the Slovenian proved to be in a league of his own.
“Many riders wait until Tadej makes his move, but by then, it’s already too late,” Vermeersch said. “Strade Bianche has always been one of my favorite races. I finished 14th once, but this seventh place means even more to me I’m going to cherish it.”
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