Romain Bardet: Strade Bianche is pure cycling
Mar 04 2018 04:59 am CET
Photo of Romain Bardet by the A.S.O.
AG2R La Mondiale's Romain Bardet showed a strong performance in Strade Bianche and finished second in his first appearance in the race, becoming the first Frenchman to step on its podium.
Bardet first chased to the front group and then performed an attack that only two other riders could handle: Wout Van Aert and the race winner Tiesj Benoot. "This was a real race, and I love those," said the Frenchman. "The strongest riders were all at the front. I was perfectly supported by the team, and for a first effort, I had a very good time.
"For a moment, I was thinking of the victory, but it is also a good result to be on the podium. Tiesj Benoot was the strongest, and I did my best. It didn’t need 10 more kilometres."
The cold and wet weather conditions were suitable for an epic race and Bardet was happy to be a part of it. "Strade Bianche is pure cycling. A day of warriors and I love that," he commented.
"I was excited to race a course where you flirt with your limits. And I am very happy to be on the podium. It was a different effort, racing through the gorgeous Tuscan villages and grandiose landscapes... even if today, there was mostly mud."
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