On the Rivet

...who's riding hard 

Strade Bianche

Eroica

The ripe rolling hills intertwined with milky white roads wantonly called to the the eager riders.  Fabian mounted his carbon steed as his sinewy loins glistened in the dewy Tuscan morning.  "Today I will ride you until you are mine once again" Fabian moaned.  They rode for what seemed like hours.  As the Italian heat reflected off of the pearly marble he forged his ample lead into the awaiting climax.  "Sienna, now I will climb you"...   Oh, you like? Bellisima.

Former winner Cancellera takes his prize

What to watch

Despite the misleading introduction Strade Bianche is not an Italian soft porn, but oh if it were.  Rather it is one of the most watchable races of the year.  Spring has sprung in Tuscany and the cycling season is fully underway.  The route is know for its white gravel roads known as sterrati.  Originally a grand fondo style ride this race has turned into one of the most popular races of the season.  The loose gravel makes for exciting watching as many are placed upon steep hills where the descents become even more treacherous than the climbs.  Add to this some early season weather and the peloton is usually stretched to its limits far before the finish.  And what a finish it is.  As riders exit the country roads they enter the hill town of Sienna.  A wicked climbing finish into the heart of town makes Strade the second most famous race to finish in the Piazza del Campo.

As town squares go, not too shabby, if you're into that kind of thing

Who to watch

As this race grows so does the inclusion of big name riders.  The Wiskota League is sending a some of our best classics riders including:  GVA, Sagan, Phinney, T. Martin and former winners Cancellera and Stybar.  In addition many punchy climbers will be involved as well including: Valverde, Ullisi and Nibali.  A few other notables, Wiskota and others include: Chaves, Gesink, Rosa, DeClerq, Landa and Battaglin.

These guys like to party

How to watch

In Tuscany it's all about the green gold that is extra virgin olive oil.  Saute with it, drizzle it on bread, top your pasta, straight guzzle it.  Those eye-talians put that shit on everything.  If you are watching in the morning perhaps try frying your eggs in olive oil with a little bruschetta toasted bread on the side.  A cappachino will help you start things off like a true tuscan. Perhaps a little Tuaca if you are feeling frisky.  It's looking like I won't get to watch until the evening, which will give me plenty of time to let my bottle of Chianti breath.  Lots of olive oil on my Bruschetta and Parpadelle and I'll be ready to watch.

Olio d'Olivia

Predictions

Will the roads look like this?

Or like this?

How it could happen:  The forecast calls for rain and the Tuscan sun struggles to peak through the clouds.  It's a day for the Clydesdales and this race has two of the most powerful.  In an epic battle of former TT champions Cancellera and Tony Martin break away from the pack.  With every Cancellera attack Martin TTs his way back.  The break reaches the foot of the Sienna climb, who will struggle to hang on and who will power away for victory?  Cancellera finds an extra gear going into the final turn and crosses the line just in front of his former TT rival.  

How it might happen:  The forecast calls for rain and the Tuscan sun struggles to peak through the clouds.  It's a day for the opportunist and many an attacker has taken the start line.  As the gravel roads tilt upward a group of punchy climbers makes its move.  Nibali tries again and again to drop the group but led by Valverde the "puncheurs"  won't let him go.  The break reaches the foot of the Sienna climb, who will struggle to hang on and who will power away for victory? Nibali attacks early again, Valverde follows, but who is this on his coat tails, Diego Ullissi strikes out at just the right moment to take the victory.

How it will happen: The forecast calls for rain and the Tuscan sun struggles to peak through the clouds.  It's a day for the mudders and some of the top classics men are here.  The skinny men pack it in early complaining of the cold.  The tough mudders head out early and the pack whittles down as BMC pushes the pace.  The break reaches the foot of the Sienna climb, who will struggle to hang on and who will power away for victory?  Stybar did a lot of work in the break and it looks like its going to be an Omloop rematch between Sagan and GVA.  They continue to attack each other, but coming from behind Stybar makes it a three man sprint.  Its close at the line but GVA continues his early season run with a signature victory.

WISKOTA!