Riders completed their final reconnaissance rides on the gravel roads of Strade Bianche in the rain on Friday but wore smiles below the splash of mud on their faces, knowing the rain should create perfect gravel racing conditions for Saturday.
The latest weather forecasts for Siena expect light rain all day on Friday and into the night, but on Saturday, the sun should be out in the afternoon, with temperatures of 14C. The wind will also not be a problem, with a light southwesterly breeze blowing across the course south of Siena.
“In an ideal scenario, it will rain early on Saturday morning. Then it will have dried by the afternoon, and there will be no dust on the gravel roads,” local rider Alberto Bettiol told Sporza, using his inside knowledge.
“That would also give us more grip on the gravel roads, especially on the descents. That would also make it safer for the riders.”
The Lidl-Trek women’s squad studied the Strade Bianche in the rain on Friday, but the men avoided the worst conditions by doing their detailed reconnaissance ride on Thursday.
They checked out the long Monte Sante Marie sector where Strade Bianche traditionally explodes and then the final loop near Siena that includes the Colle Pinzuit and Le Tolfe gravel sectors, which this year will be covered twice.
Quinn Simmons has been in Tuscany since the start of the week, spending a few days with family riding on the Tuscan gravel roads hills before joining his teammates for their recon ride.
The major teams arrive several days before major races, like Strade Bianche, for a final check of the race route and the conditions.
“It was important to see the new final of Strade Bianche but is also important to test the equipment; the tyres choices and pressure, the set-up and even chainring sizes and so gearing,” directeur sportif Steven de Jongh told Cyclingnews.
“A recon ride brings everything together so that we can then decide our final race strategy and tactics. Now we’re ready to race.
“The gravel was really good on Thursday, and the riders were really happy. We’re hoping for similar conditions on Saturday after Friday’s rain. The route is super nice to race on, it’s perfect gravel for great racing. The route is harder than ever, but it’s naturally spectacular.”
A winter of rain has left the gravel farm tracks that crisscross the Tuscan countryside damp and compacted by…
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