The 9th Strade Bianche (200 km) took place in Tuscany on Saturday, putting the peloton on more than 50 km of “white road” sectors used in this farming region of Italy. The ten sectors of gravel played a part in breaking apart the main field, as did the wind on course, all leading to the last uphill pitch coming in the final kilometer of racing. Giampaolo Caruso and Angel Vicioso were the most active of the Team Katusha riders, taking tenth and 12th on the day. 

"With Caruso and Vicioso we have two riders finishing at just one minute back from the winner. This means that they have good condition. Because of the wind they were not in the front when everything exploded on the Monte Sante Marie section. They just missed the good break. In a few days in Tirreno – Adriatico they can take their revenge," said Team Katusha sports director Claudio Cozzi.

Zdenek Stybar (Etixx – Quick Step) made a final move on the final climb to take the victory in front of Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) and Alejandro Valverde of Movistar after more than five hours in the saddle. 

Eight riders jumped clear in the opening part of the race, building an advantage of more than six minutes. But the serious contenders brought it all back together by the decisive sixth and 7th sectors under the hard chasing of Team Katusha and Movistar. Here on the Monte Sante Marie the first of several selections was made with Stybar and Valverde animating the racing action. Daniel Oss (BMC) went clear from 25 km to go, but the long hours in the legs and the difficult gravel roads played into the hands of Stybar and his cyclo-cross background. He had plenty of energy to chase and some in reserve to make the final push for the victory.