Race Report: Strade Bianche

THE RETURN OF WORLDTOUR RACING AT STRADE BIANCHE FOR ISRAEL START-UP NATION & PARKHOTEL VALKENBURG

Gallery from the hot and dusty race through the hills & valleys of Tuscany

Israel Start-Up Nation A hot and dusty return to WorldTour racing at Strade Bianche for Israel Start-Up Nation. Alex Dowsett was the team’s top finisher coming in 34th. Dowsett’s summary after the race: “It was hard. Very hard.” The riders endured temperatures up to forty degrees celsius in the Tuscan sun. Israel Start-Up Nation race on the Factor O2 VAM and Factor ONE. Photos by Bettini

Team Parkhotel Valkenburg It was a tough first race for the team but it ended with a top 20 finish for Parkhotel rider Demi Vollering. The women’s Strade Bianche covered 136km, with eight sectors and 31.4km on gravel roads. Demi Vollering said: “Today I started off feeling really strong, but I knew it was going to be a tough race. It was extremely hot. We were fully prepared to ride in this heat and we tried to stay hydrated, but you just couldn’t keep up. You just can’t prepare your body for things like this. It’s amazing though how strong your mind can be, since my body gave up on me more than once today.” Team Parkhotel Valkenburg race on the Factor O2 VAM. Photos by Velofocus