With just over twenty days to go until the Strade Bianche , another eagerly awaited protagonist announces his participation: Wout van Aert will be there, and will aim to race as a leader, crossing the finish line with his arms raised instead of making horns like last year (and as can be seen from the photo).

The 25-year-old Belgian finished third in 2018 behind Benoot and Bardet , while in 2019 he had to bow to Alaphilippe and Fuglsang . Just last year, however, he confirmed the value of van Aert, winner of the 10th stage at the Tour de France . It's a shame that last season was conditioned by the very bad accident in the Pau time trial stage. But already in the first races of 2020 - those before the lockdown - he showed himself to be well recovered from the injury.

Van Aert can be expected to perform well immediately at the Strade Bianche and then in the race immediately following, the Milan-Turin on August 5. Moreover, these will be among his few Italian appearances in 2020, because in agreement with his team ( Jumbo-Visma ) he has decided to focus on the Northern classics, giving up the Giro d'Italia.