“Loulou” emerges, reconnaissance time at the Strade Bianche

The sun comes and goes. The Sienese hills light up and go dark. Runners pass by and the first swarm of team cars. It's reconnaissance. The approach of Strade Bianche suddenly brings these corners of Tuscany to life where there is usually a very different kind of tranquility.

The teams, many of which are made up of riders who yesterday they were at the Laigueglia Trophy, they take advantage of it for the reconnaissance. "Cycling has changed," he tells us. David Bramati sports director of the Quick Step- Alphavinyl – now most people do the “recon” on Thursday and not on Friday».

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Reconnaissance on Thursday

One of the reasons that probably prompted us to do the test today was the weather. In fact, there is a certain probability of rain tomorrow morning. So it's better to avoid an unpleasant downpour that doesn't even have any bearing on the race, which should be dry.

But Brama is right. It's the way it is now: better to have an extra day of rest in your legs. Better to have a quiet eve. Especially for those aiming for victory like world champion Alaphilippe.

And following in the footsteps of Lefevere's team, other teams have also chosen to try on the eve of the race. Jumbo-Visma, Lotto Soudal, Bora Hansgrohe, UAE Team Emirates, Ineos-Grenadiers, the ones we met. While the Trek-Segafredo He should go tomorrow. The women will definitely go tomorrow morning.

Quick Step from afar

Many have chosen to start at the 90-100 kilometer mark. One of the advantages of the Thursday reconnaissance is that you can test a larger portion of the route.

Quick Step–Alphavinyl for example has chosen to test only the longest sectors And for this reason, it started quite far back, in the Torrenieri area, so to speak, just before the longest sector, that of Lucignano d'Asso. And indeed, after Monte Sante Marie, Alaphilippe and his companions descended "to the plain" and took the road back to the hotel. 

Others, however, after Monte Sante Marie, continued straight ahead to discover the last three sectors: Monteaperti, Colle Pinzuto e The Tolfe.

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Watch out for the wheels

A reconnaissance done mainly for the “wheel department”. All tubeless for Quick Step. Alaphilippe He hadn't yet found the right pressure, so much so that right at the exit of Monte Sante Marie he had the mechanic adjust it. He probably lowered it a bit since he "complained" about the grip.

The Frenchman is very keen on this race. He won it in 2019 and last year he was second behind Van der Poel. It is given in excellent condition. And when “Loulou” aims and is in condition he rarely makes a mistake: Leuven (and not only) teaches.

For all of them “low” profile wheels: the 33 mm Roval Alpinist, Mark Specialized.

But all in all the clan was calm, also because there was someone watching over them. Giampaolo Mondini, the team manager for the American brand. They certainly talked about it after the reconnaissance was over.

Reports: Looking for 32

And some doubts reigned at home too. UAE Team EmiratesSoler told the mechanic that the 5,2 bar pressure on the front tire was fine for dirt, but not for asphalt. With that low pressure, the tire actually bounced a bit.

The mechanic of the UAE He would go from one bike to another with the pump to check the pressure. He would ask the guys if they were okay. Meanwhile, he would write down the data in a notebook. Not only that, but he would also ask for reports.

"But are you leaving these relationships behind?" asks Covi: "I would like the 32". "Yes, better. The 32 is also good for any restarts from a standing start," the sports director replies. Manuel Mori.

As they speak we notice that Covi e Ulissi They made a different choice. Low wheels for Diego, high wheels for Covi. While the pressures, aside from a few adjustments based on weight, should be the same for everyone: 5-5,2 bar at the front and 5,5-5,7 bar at the rear.

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Tactics and route

But reconnaissance is also useful for memorizing the sections, for visualizing the possible race scenarios. A race that is always lively, in which one concentrates a lot on the eleven dirt road sectors clearly, but which should not be underestimated for its altitude difference of 3.100 meters.

«You see – explained the sports directors of the UAE To the guys – here (the summit of Monte Sante Marie, ed.) you always come out "split". Usually there are two groups. If you're in one of these two groups, that's fine, otherwise the race is over.

"How far is it from here?" Covi asks again while munching on a bar. "It's 42 kilometers away," Mori replies. "If you're not feeling great, it's better to go earlier, like I did." Formolo some time ago,” continues the sporting director.

“And what are the other traits like?” Covi continues. «They are shorter, but with some hard tears», Ulissi replies, who is there at his side, much more covered than his young companion.

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Rodriguez alone

The teams almost always gather at the exit of the dirt roads. The riders talk, exchange ideas with each other and with the mechanics, and above all, they wait. And yes, there are some significant differences in the approach to reconnaissance.

Everyone interprets the features as they see fit: studying the lines and "feeling the guidance" while going fast, or carefully observing the road and its pitfalls. Then, one looks for some reference points to memorize in case of crisis or attack.

And this interpretation is greatly influenced by what was done the day before.

Laengen and Soler did not race in Laigueglia yesterday and in fact they reached the summit with a good handful of minutes' advantage over Covi and Ulissi, who instead were protagonists in the Ligurian race.

Idem Carlos Rodriguez. We caught him on a connecting stretch of asphalt, completely abandoned by his teammates (but with the team car following). The Spaniard also raced in Laigueglia. He was going very slowly, but unfamiliar with the route, he wanted to try it all.