Gaviria, Richeze and Sanremo… this “trio” almost seems like a soap opera now. Fernando has been chasing the Classicissima and he does it with the help of Max since the time of the Deceuninck-Quick Step, but for one reason or another he can't raise his arms to the sky.
After slips during the race, accidents close to the race, less than stellar legs… last year seemed like the right opportunity. The two of the UAE They had worked very well. The Colombian had won several races, was stronger than ever, and the Argentine pacesetter was also in good form. Then Covid hit Gaviria himself and, subsequently, all of cycling.
Lots of work
After a year, even the scores with fate seem to have been settled.
«We hope to get to the top of the list Sanremo this year – says Richeze – We did a good block of work with Fernando and we are here at the Tyrrhenian to refine the condition. I think we're on the right track and we hope to have a great Sanremo."
This time, however, more than ever, you don't have to rely only on yourself, your condition, or the other sprinters. The big puzzle concerns the three sacred monsters who are dominating the last races: Van Aert, Alaphilippe e Van der Poel. And Richeze knows it well…
«Well, those three are a big problem, they are very explosive riders. And Sanremo has changed quite a bit in recent years thanks to them. When they attack, it's impossible for us sprinters to follow them, they have an unsustainable pace."
The winning strategy
But then, how can it be done? Is the fate of the race already decided? Gaviria and Richeze certainly aren't starting out defeated, and they're hatching a plan to put a spoke in the wheels of the three phenomena.
«Let's see what we can do – Richeze continues – Our plan is to take the Cipressa and the Poggio very far in front, trying to block them a little, as far as possible, to control them.The longer they wait – he laughs – the more chances we have of climbing the hill with them."
Attacking the climbs in the lead remains the only way to contain them.
"We certainly can't catch them from behind," Richeze continued. "We only have this one chance. Then we'll have to see how they move. We know that if they get caught in the head, things will get complicated for us." But as we know, it's very difficult to be in first position at the attack on Cipressa and Poggio: it's more stressful than doing a sprint. The whole world wants to take them in front of them."
The problem is that with those three, or at least two of them, Van Aert and Van der Poel, staying close on the climbs might not be enough. The two Northern Europeans are indeed very fast.
«We know that Van Aert is a true champion and we look for his weaknesses, even if honestly there aren't many! We can only compete in our own way, trying to do our best. Knowing that the strongest doesn't always win."
The double wielding of those three
From Milan to Sanremo, it's a well-known 300 kilometers. And to implement certain tactics, you need a great team, which is something the UAE He has the power, but it's also true that a man like Richeze must be protected to the fullest. The others will have to protect two others, not just Gaviria. The Argentine must remain covered. He could potentially intervene three times: in the attack at Cipressa, at Poggio, and in the final sprint. And in fact, all of this is part of the "anti-phenomenon" plan. You can't leave the work of attacking the climbs to someone else, since these moments are comparable to a sprint, as Richeze himself said.
"True," the Argentine continues, "I'll be covered until the end. I'll move a little before the Cipressa, with Fernando attached behind me. He has to stay in perfect position. If we fall a little behind, I'll have to sacrifice myself, I know that. He's the one who has to stay ahead."
An eye on the rivals
Richeze is studying his opponents in this Tirreno. He sees how they pedal and when we ask him, also thinking about who is racing at Paris-Nice, who is the most dangerous, he doesn't think twice and names those three, discarding every other hypothesis.
"There's not just one; all three can attack the Poggio and make a huge difference. And at that point, it would be impossible to come back, especially because everyone is tired and I imagine without teams.
«Can they sprint even if they were to be reprimanded? Good question, in theory after 300 kilometers and such a great effort you should pay the price for the sprint, but These are true champions and I expect everything from them."
