'I bet it looked crazy on TV': Tiesj Benoot reflects on gruelling victory at Strade Bianche

The Belgian fought through the rain and mud to beat a stacked field to victory at the 2018 Strade Bianche in Tuscany

Tiesj Benoot breaks clear at the 2018 Strade Bianche (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Tiesj Benoot (Lotto-Soudal) says his Strade Bianche victory on Saturday in Siena, Italy, will be one that will be remembered for its bad weather and one that must have "looked crazy on TV."

The Belgian soloed into Piazza del Campo ahead of Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) after an attack at 12.3 kilometres out. Much of his red jersey and black bike were blanketed by mud from recent snowstorms and rain.

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Gregor Brown

Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.