‘Really dangerous’ – Crowd enthusiasm spills onto the route during 2026 Strade Bianche
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The crowd at the men’s Strade Bianche race got a little too close for comfort as they encroached on the riders and caused chaos during Saturday’s race.Irish cyclist Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost) was shunted off his bike after colliding with a member of the crowd in “really dangerous” scenes, as described by TNT Sports commentator Sean Kelly.
The incident came at an inopportune time for Healy after he fought his way into a chasing group who had a near-two minute deficit behind winner Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG).
Healy, Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike), and Tom Pidcock (Pinarello–Q36.5) were powering through the difficult Le Tolfe gravel sector, and, due to the lack of width and enthusiastic supporters surrounding them, had to ride in single file.
Pidcock expertly overtook Van Aert and Healy attempted to do the same. He collided with a fan, and was forced to his right and jolted into the shoulder of Isaac del Toro, falling to the ground.
‘Not really that fun’ – Pidcock says UAE domination feels ‘sombre’
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“It’s really dangerous,” said Kelly. “As I mentioned, you can see there that the crowd is encroaching on the road. They have to ride single file.
“You see Pidcock, the way he just barged his way through Van Aert there.”
Images and replays showed supporters getting as close to the action as they possibly could, with arms and legs stretching across the riders.
Several members of the enthusiastic crowd were almost hit by bikes before leaping back, in what appeared incredibly difficult conditions for the riders on what was already a challenging portion of the race.
Pogacar’s lead was already nearly two minutes at that point, and the likes of Pidcock and Healy frequently attacked in a bid to lead the chasing group and cut the deficit.
The Slovenian eventually picked up yet another win in Tuscany in a wholly dominant display.
It was a record-breaking fourth Strade Bianche title for Pogacar, and his third in succession, whilst Pidcock fell to seventh.
Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) and Isaac del Toro (UAE) rounded out the podium. The former was immensely strong and held a lead over the chasers in the final tilt.
UAE had dominated the day and orchestrated a perfect race for Pogacar, particularly when he escaped on the Sante Marie.
Helmed by Del Toro’s impressive display, Jan Christen and Florian Vermeersch helped Pogacar when they could, but once he was alone, he excelled and his win seemed inevitable.
Highlights: Pogacar powers to Strade Bianche win, teenager Seixas second
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“I think you can feel a bit of sombreness here with everyone, with Visma behind me as well,” Pidcock told TNT Sports post-race.
“With UAE like that, there’s not much you can do. My chain fell off twice on Sante Marie, that really killed my momentum, but I wouldn’t have beaten Tadej anyway.
“I don’t think it changed much apart from taking a bit more out of me. It’s so difficult in the group behind when you know the race has gone.
“You can always think this is just the race now, but it’s not really how it is, when one guy’s in front.”
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