Tadej POGACAR. 10 with honors. At minus 80 kilometers he opens the throttle. The young transalpine rider, Paul Seixas, gives the world hope that it's possible, holding the wheel of the world champion, but for the Slovenian it takes just two kilometers to drop him and bring him back to earth. At minus 78 Pogi is alone. The dust becomes a cloud, where the rainbow becomes light. In Siena the boy with the world on his shoulders enters the Piazza del Campo overflowing with passion like an Aceto at the Palio. The Torre del Mangia bows once again to Pogi's overwhelming dominance. The roar is a chorus of intense admiration, a folk song of wonder at an unprecedented four-timer. They've dedicated a stretch of road and a monument marker to Tadej: they should dedicate the entire race to him and build him a statue.

Paul SEIXAS. 10. He wins the race of the others in grand style, but he too seems to already be pedaling in another dimension. Only a Martian is better than this thoroughbred colt with immense personality.

Isaac DEL TORO. 7.5. He works for his captain, but when called upon to contain the young transalpine rider he shows he has less in the tank. That's how it is today.

Romain GREGOIRE. 8. France shines with another young rider, just 23 years old, who confirms he knows how to do it.

Gianni VERMEERSCH. 6. The experienced Belgian Red Bull rider does what he can: the bare minimum.

Jan CHRISTEN. 8. He's a young kid too, also 21 years old, and he shows he has talent to spare. Today he gives nothing away: he gives everything.

Tom PIDCOCK. 5.5. The legs are there, but he has a derailleur problem twice, the second time right when Tadej accelerates and the Brit is forced to ease off the pedals. Would the outcome have been different? Probably, but Tom finishes looking battered.

Wout VAN AERT. 5.5. He's not at his best, and it shows. He struggles hard, even though he tries to give his all. But in certain races, heart alone isn't enough.

Ben HEALY. 5. He does everything and more in a demanding and difficult race like the Strade Bianche. He plays the jester as usual and in the end he falls.

Martin MARCELLUSI. 7. The 25-year-old from Lazio with Bardiani CSF 7 Saber enters the day's breakaway after about thirty kilometers of racing. After exiting the third gravel sector they find themselves nine strong. With Marcellusi are Tibor Del Grosso (Alpecin Premier Tech), Jack Haig (INEOS Grenadiers), Patrick Konrad (Lidl Trek), Samuele Zoccarato (MBH Bank Csb), Adrien Boichis (Red Bull Bora), Anders Foldager (Jayco AlUla), Tim Rex (Visma Lease a Bike) and Davide Toneatti (XDS Astana). They race for a while, as long as UAE allows them to, then they're reeled back in, to applause.