As we did for the women’s race, let’s start with the winner, Mathieu van der Poel.
Here is a photo of him attacking for the first time that day, striking the decisive blow to the peloton of the best riders. On this very moment, the 2021 Strade Bianche – one of the most beautiful and thrilling editions ever remembered – went off.
Bernal and Alaphilippe were the only ones to survive that earthquake, but it was just a matter of time before they surrendered to van der Poel’s final attack on the steep Via Santa Caterina climb.
This photo fully captures the power of the Dutch rider. You can almost see some sparks shooting out of the dust. Can you remember exactly where this picture was taken?