Visma | Lease a Bike forced into changes for Strade Bianche selection

Tulett had been looking forward to the Italian gravel Classic, as he told us in mid-January. “It’s a special race, and one I always like to ride. Especially with Wout van Aert, a former winner,” he said at the time.

The Brit — a two-time junior cyclocross world champion — crashed in the finale of Sunday’s Faun Drôme Classic. Tulett was not deemed fit enough to race again so soon and will therefore miss Strade Bianche, the team has confirmed to IDL Procycling.

Barré made his debut for Visma | Lease a Bike in France last weekend, but did not finish either race — stepping off early on Sunday — and he will not line up in Italy either. The Frenchman had already been dealing with a tendon inflammation in his knee in the build-up to the season, which meant he could not train at full intensity during the winter.

In the Ardennes, Tulett and Barré would normally share leadership with Matteo Jorgenson, who is included for Strade Bianche after his strong performances in France. The American will share leadership with Wout van Aert, while support comes from Timo Kielich, Filippo Fiorelli, Tim Rex, Tijmen Graat and Pietro Mattio.

“With Wout, we also have a former winner in the team, who has already proven he can handle this race well. Alongside him, Matteo is one of the leaders.”