The Belgian Strade Bianche
Sterrato is in vogue. The spectacular nature of the Strade Bianche and its famous white dirt roads has led to several races in the calendar including this surface in their routes over the past decade, to the point where some of them have made gravel their hallmark. This is the case with Tro-Bro Léon in France, Clásica Jaén Paraíso Interior in Spain, or Duracell Dwars door het Hageland in Belgium, which takes place next Saturday.
Route
The Belgian race features a distance of 178 km, with a total of 41.8 kilometers on gravel roads spread over 17 sectors. Unlike the Strade Bianche, however, the elevation does not play as significant a role in this race, as it ads only 1122 vertical meters throughout the course.
Favorites
Rasmus Tiller (200) has won this race in two of the last three editions and starts with number 1. Other favorites include Kaden Groves (800), Gianni Vermeersch (200), Luca Mozzato (400), Quinten Hermans (400), Madis Mikhels (200), Jenthe Biermans (200), Tom Van Asbroeck (200), Jason Tesson (200), Emilien Jeannière (200), Jonas Abrahamsen (200), Milan Fretin (200), Amaury Capiot (200), Laurenz Rex (200), Joris Nieuenhuis (200), and Riley Sheehan (200).
Photo: © Kramon / Duracell Dwars door het Hageland