Julian Alaphilippe and Zdenek Stybar will lead the line for the squad this weekend, in Italy.
Saturday schedules the 15th edition of Strade Bianche, whose white roads caked in dust and dirt have made for some vintage racing in the years that have passed since the race was created. With 63 kilometers of gravel roads divided across 11 sectors and the breathtaking Tuscan countryside as background, the 184km-long World Tour event promises not to disappoint also this year, when it will once again test the riders’ tactical acumen, climbing abilities and handling skills.
In 2019, Julian Alaphilippe arrived victorious in the stunning Piazza del Campo, a feat that four years earlier had been achieved by his teammate Zdenek Stybar. Both will be in Siena this weekend at the start of the spectacular one-day race, where they will be joined by Strade Bianche first-timer João Almeida, Danish Champion Kasper Asgreen, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad winner Davide Ballerini, Dries Devenyns and Pieter Serry.
“We love Strade Bianche, we won it several times in the past and we’re always glad when we’re at the start of this great race which has it all. The parcours, same like last year, is a hard one and there are many favourites, so it won’t be easy, but we’ll try to be again among the protagonists. The team is a strong one, we have more than one option and we hope to be there in the key moments of the race”, said Deceuninck – Quick-Step sports director Davide Bramati.