Pogacar on 50km Strade Bianche solo: Someone has to be the first someday, no?

Strade Bianche 2022 - 16th Edition - Siena - Siena 184 km - 05/03/2022 - Tadej Pogacar (SLO - UAE Team Emirates) - Julian Alaphilippe (FRA - Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team) - photo Luca Bettini/SprintCyclingAgency©2022
Tadej Pogacar leaves Julian Alaphilippe and the rest behind at Monte Sante Marie (Image credit: Luca Bettini/SprintCyclingAgency©2022)

The Piazza del Campo was packed with fans for the first time since 2019 on Saturday, but there was only one rider at the finish – Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates), who soloed to a dominant victory at Strade Bianche after attacking 50 kilometres from Siena.

The Slovenian was informed in the post-race interviews that he was the first man to take a solo victory at the race having attacked earlier than the 20-kilometre mark. His response was on-brand, delivered in typical understated Pogačar fashion.

Dani Ostanek
Senior News Writer

Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, joining in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Before joining the team, they had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur.

Dani has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France, Road World Championships, and the spring Classics. They have interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Mathieu van der Poel, Demi Vollering, and Remco Evenepoel. Their favourite races are the Giro d'Italia, Strade Bianche and Paris-Roubaix.

Season highlights from the 2024 season include reporting from Paris-Roubaix –  'Unless I'm in an ambulance, I'm finishing this race' – Cyrus Monk, the last man home at Paris-Roubaix – and the Tour de France – 'Disbelief', gratitude, and family – Mark Cavendish celebrates a record-breaking Tour de France sprint win.