13: Gravel roads and crosswinds
In this episode of The Cycling Podcast, Richard Moore, Lionel Birnie and Daniel Friebe discuss the Italian one-day race Strade Bianche, which takes the peloton across the dusty white roads of Tuscany and into the glorious centre of Siena. Julian Alaphilippe continued Deceuninck-Quick Step's incredible run of one-day race victories, beating Jakob Fuglsang at the finish with Wout Van Aert – the revelation of last year's race – in third. We compare Strade Bianche to the other Classics and ask whether it deserves to be considered as cycling's 'sixth' Monument. Then we turn our attentions to the opening couple of days of Paris-Nice, won by Dylan Groenewegen and shaped by vicious crosswinds. And Richard casually drops in the biggest news of the week concerning Team Sky's search for a replacement sponsor in the third part, so keep listening. **The Cycling Podcast is supported by Rapha and Science in Sport. OUR SPONSORS** **Rapha** has just launched its new custom kit giving you the chance to design your own Rapha kit. Begin your journey now. Choose from the varied set of templates, pick your colours and add your logos. Make your mark with Rapha Custom at [www.rapha.cc/gb/en/custom/](http://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/custom/) **Pédaleur de Charme** Pédaleur and pédaleuse de charme t-shirts, caps, and jerseys are in back stock in all sizes [on the Rapha website](https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/search/all?text=P%C3%A9daleur+de+charme). **Science In Sport** are offering all listeners 25 per cent off their range of energy bars, drinks and gels at [scienceinsport.com](http://scienceinsport.com) Use the code **SISCP25** when you reach the check-out. **The Economist** also sponsors this episode. For over 170 years, The Economist has delivered trustworthy intelligence that helps people like you choose where to stand on the issues that matter most. All UK-based listeners can get a free print copy of The Economist by texting **CYCLING** to **78070** **FRIENDS OF THE PODCAST** Everyone who has signed up as a Friend of the Podcast for 2019 can download the four-part, four-hour audiobook The Grand Tour Diaries and our first episode on the Dutch Jumbo-Visma's attempts to close the gap to Team Sky now. Our latest episode is called Opening Weekend and focuses on the first cobbled Classic of the season, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. We will release at least eight more episodes over the course of the year. It costs £15 to become a Friend on our [website](http://www.thecyclingpodcast.com/friends). Join us on [Strava](https://www.strava.com/clubs/thecyclingpodcast), [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/TheCyclingPodcast/), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/thecyclingpodcast/) and [Twitter](https://twitter.com/cycling_podcast).