Tadej POGACAR. 10 and praise. Escorted by Del Toro, Grosschartner, and Tim Wellens, the world champion doesn't attack but is attacked by a very generous Tom Pidcock. It happens on Sante Marie, where one expects the Slovenian, who responds accordingly, but then misses a turn and falls heavily into the terrain. A slide with a complete pirouette and landing among the brambles. The race seems predetermined, beyond fate and skin. However, the rainbow-striped champion doesn't flinch (he had already done that before, in the turn, too much, excessive...) and with 19 kilometers to go, he unleashes his seated progression that knocks out Pidcock. Third Strade Bianche of his career, fourth victory in eight days of racing this season (number 15 for UAE Team Emirates - XRG), the 92nd victory of his career. For the first time, a rider wins back-to-back Strade Bianche. For the first time in Piazza del Campo, the rainbow colors and a new race record (40.705 km/h, Pidcock's two years ago was 40.636). Numbers from the number 1, after yet another performance.

Thomas PIDCOCK. 9. He is the leader of the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team and acts as such. The 25-year-old British lad rides with the attitude of a champion, also because he is one, and is certainly not intimidated by Tadej Pogacar's presence: on the contrary, he excels. He does everything necessary and in the finale pays a bit for the effort, but what a race!

Tim WELLENS. 9. The 33-year-old Belgian after having a superb race, closes it with an exceptional result: 3rd. A man of struggle and governance. Make him prime minister.

Ben HEALY. 8. The Irish rider races with great attention and tactical acumen. He doesn't waste precious energy: a mature race.

Pello BILBAO. 7.5. At 35, he's still there fighting like a young boy with the youngsters. He brings home a 5th place that not only boosts morale and gives points but clearly says that this guy still has much to say in the saddle of his bicycle.

Magnus CORT. 7. Fights like a true gladiator and takes home a more than beautiful top-ten placement.

Gianni VERMEERSCH. 5.5. The 32-year-old Belgian rider is no stranger to these surfaces, quite the opposite. However, today he always suffers the race and obtains the minimum possible.

Michael VALGREN. 6. A sacrificial race to finish in the top ten.

Christian SCARONI. 17. Retires like Diego Ulissi. For both, a fall that takes them out of the race. For the 27-year-old from Brescia, a true protagonist of this season start with three victories and maximum points collected at the beginning of the year, a first-degree subluxation of the right clavicle that was really not needed, but could have gone much worse. A few days and he'll be as good as new.

Simone PETILLI. 6. The 31-year-old rider from Intermarché Wanty enters the day's first breakaway with Johan Price-Pejtersen (Alpecin - Deceuninck), Stan Dewulf (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team), Lewis Askey (Groupama - FDJ), Connor Swift (INEOS Grenadiers), Albert Withen Philipsen (Lidl - Trek), Mark Donovan (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team), Pepijn Reinderink (Soudal Quick-Step), Anders Foldager (Team Jayco AlUla) and Fabian Weiss (Tudor Pro Cycling Team).

Javier SERRANO. 5. Right from the start, the Spanish rider from Team Polti VisitMalta ends up on the ground: Sienese. As a start, not exactly great.

A PHOTOGRAPHER. 2. On Women's Day, a male photographer, strictly male, stands out for professionalism and gender spirit. An Italian-Czech colleague, Federica Muzzi, politely asks: "Shooting from below or standing? (to avoid getting stuck)". He's ready, very ready: "You lower yourself so I can look at your ass (he used another term)". Happy International Women's Day.