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This Saturday comes the 13th Strade Bianche, the syoung pectacular Italian classic of the white sterrato sections

The day begins and ends in Siena, and enters a route with medieval air, where the hardness will be imposed by the traditional sections of sterrato that make this race magical. In total there are 11 stretches of mud and white dust, often uphill, that give us some of the most beautiful images of the cycling season, such as the arrival in solitary of Tiesj Benoot (800), literally covered in mud, in the edition from last year.

The victory in the Strade Bianche is usually for a solo man or a small group, as the hardness of the ramps and the continuous ups and downs make the work of an organized peloton very difficult. At the end of the day there are almost 3000 meters of cumulative positive altitude, giving opportunities to take the race both to classic specialists and climbers. One thing is for sure: you have to have legs and class. Both things were held largelly by Fabian Cancellara, who heads the list of winners with 3 masterful victories (2008, 2012 and 2016).

In addition, the cobbled labyrinth of the streets of Siena, and the end, in curve and descent, in the emblematic piazza il Campo, makes the sprint in grupeto breathtaking.

Who to sign up for my Cycling Fantasy team

Who writes these lines does not intend to influence the choice of each, far from it. I do not have a crystal ball to see the future. Cycling is the most unpredictable of sports, and many factors can condition a race. Of course, if we soak a little statistics, maybe there are some names that can help us improove our scorings.

Us****ual suspects

Greg Van Avermaet (1200). It's expensive, yes. 1200 are many credits, but the Belgian is virtually infallible in the classics. A tireless fighter, is a regular of the positions of honor. Maybe he does not win, but he is one of the few who practically guarantees a top 5.

Tiesj Benoot (800). He won masterfully last year, winning ahead of Roman Bardet (800) and Wout Van Aert (400), with a powerful attack 15 kilometers from the end. Of course, we must bear in mind that suffered a strong fall this weekend in the Omloop. Serious doubts.

Zdenek Styvar (800). The Czech is in shape. Winner of the Omloop this weekend and a stage in Algarve 15 days ago, he is an old school classic racer.

Tim Wellens (1000). Great competitor, very tactical. He is often in the final cut. He was third two years ago, and he is in good shape: he comes from making podium in the Omloop.

Yves Lampaert (800). He is usually on the top in the classics, although he has never shone in the Strade Bianche. The Belgian champion, however, comes from doing 7th in the Omloop.

Touched by the magic wand

Alejandro Valverde (1200). At 38, the world champion is always hungry. It’s very probable that he will be in the fight. Last year he was 4th, and this year he started strong, winning stage and finishing second overall in the UAE Tour.

Julien Alaphilippe (1200). Monsieur Alaphilippe can never be ruled out. After its exhibition in the fifth stage of the tour of Colombia, he returns to Europe in top form.

They play at home

Gianni Moscon (800). Last season ended when he was performing better. Fifth in the World Championships and winner in Guangxi. After a discreet performance in the UAE Tour, his intentions for Strade Bianche are unknown. He is emerging as the Sky leader for the Giro.

Vincenzo Nibali (800). Risky bet. The shark of Messina has proved capable of the best and the worst, but has never won a Strade Bianche and surely wants one. It is a coin in the air, and it is likely that he does not even score, but ... what if it is his day?

Some bargains

Lutsenko (600). He has been performing great for a while now. He is somebody to be taken seriously. Winner in Oman, 4th in the Omloop, his price is more than appetizing.

Woult Van Aert (400). Very cheap. A young classicoman in progression, who promises to become a regular of the Dutch and French races of the paveé. He was third last year, and 13th in the Omloop this week.

Tadej Pogacar (200). by taking the Volta ao Algarve, the young Slovenian dazzled the world. The 20 years old UAE racer is already a reality. He has everything to succeed.