Newsflash: February 6th, Matthews injured, Vollering favourite, Van Aert uncertain before Strade Bianche

Crashes, favourites and question marks are shaping the build up to Strade Bianche, with Michael Matthews sidelined, Demi Vollering chasing history and Wout van Aert arriving unsure of his form.

Australian rider Michael Matthews will miss the Spring Classics after breaking both wrists in a training crash. The Team Jayco–AlUla rider had been targeting races like Paris–Nice and Milan–San Remo but now faces a period of recovery after what is another setback following last year’s pulmonary embolism scare. Meanwhile, attention turns to Strade Bianche Women where Dutch star Demi Vollering will aim for a third victory on the famous gravel roads around Siena. Rivals from SD Worx–Protime and Team Visma | Lease a Bike including Lotte Kopecky and Marianne Vos are expected to challenge across the race’s steep climbs and dusty sterrato sectors. In the men’s event, Wout van Aert heads into Strade Bianche with doubts after illness and limited racing, admitting he arrives with more question marks than hoped. With major contenders like Tadej Pogačar also targeting the gravel classic, the race around Siena promises one of the most unpredictable battles of the early cycling season.