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Photo Essay: An epic day at Strade Bianche

Tuscany’s white grave roads were on full display during Saturday’s 11th edition of Strade Bianche.

March 6, 2017 BrakeThrough Media

Photo: BrakeThrough Media

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2017 — The peloton raced toward the first sector of gravel just 10km into the race. Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — The peloton hit the first sector of gravel at a brisk pace. Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com

Strade — The peloton hit the gravel sections with speed as the riders fought for the front at Strade Bianche 2017. Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — With the early break established, order was brought to the peloton on sector No. 3. Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — Sky domestique Michal Golas was the victim of an early crash, but he fought his way back into the race. Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — The white dust kicked up under the wheels of the riders as they attacked the gravel of Tuscany. Photo: Iri Greco / BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — As the race hit the long sector No. 5, the race began to take shape under the leadership of the Lotto-Soudal team. Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — A sight often seen in the fields of Belgium and northern France is now a regular scene on the white roads of Tuscany. Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — The riders were strung out single file in front of a dramatic backdrop. Photo: Iri Greco / BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — With rain and mud, crashes were more frequent and severe in this year’s race. Photo: Iri Greco / BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — Lotto-Soudal put its hopes on the duo of Tim Wellens and Tiesj Benoot. Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — By the time the race reached the beginning of sector 7, the peloton was in pieces. Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — With rain and wind kicking up, the strain was begging to show on the faces of the riders like Belgian strongman Tim Wellens. Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — the biggest surprise of the day was the emergence of the flying Dutchman Tom Dumoulin and his affinity for the gravel. Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — As the leaders tackled the steep grades of sector No. 8, the peloton continued to shatter behind them. Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — Zdenek Stybar drove the lead group along the ridgeline of sector 8. Photo: Iri Greco / BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — Michal Kwiatkowski pushed the pace to force the split that ultimately would determine the race. Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — The final 25km saw all the players attacking and trying to shape the finale. Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — Zdenek Stybar was ever present on the front, trying to break free of his closest rivals. Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — Tim Wellens tried his hand at attacking as the road pitched up, with Michal Kwiatkowski and Zdenek Stybar in tow. Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — Olympic champion Greg Van Avermaet tried his hand at breaking the group, but it wasn’t meant to be. Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — With a bit of daylight, Michal Kwiatkowski used the last gravel climb to open enough of gap on his rivals to hold on all the way into the historic finale in Siena. Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — Comfortably clear of his breakaway companions, Michal Kwiatkowski rode the final 5km with confidence. Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — The iconic Via Santa Catarina was lined with fans awaitng the drama of the 2017 Strade Bianche to play out before their eyes. Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — Michal Kwiatkowski reached the top of the Via Santa Catalina with victory in sight. Photo: Iri Greco / BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — Greg Van Avermaet attacked hard through the top corner of the Via Santa Catalina to drop Zdenek Stybar. Photo: Iri Greco / BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — Michal Kwiatkowski brought home his second Strade Bianche victory. Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — Tim Wellens finished third, but the jury was still out on his feelings — satisfaction or disappointment? Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — After numerous attacks and riding a perfect race, former winner Zdenek Stybar didn’t have enough left in the end to contest the finale. Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — French star and early breakaway animator Thibaut Pinot seemed content with his ride over the gravel in Tuscany. Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — The familiar pasty legs of Strade Bianche are the symbol of an epic day. Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — Bikes and bodies returned to Siena covered in the white mud of Tuscany. Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — The men’s podium. Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — Michal Kwiatkowski savored the day with his victory in Siena. Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com

2017 — Strade Bianche finished in Piazza del Campo in the historic city of Siena. Photo: Iri Greco / BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com

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