THE DEEPENING POOL

The enduring memory of this topsy-turvy season, the most out-of-place spectacle, was Strade Bianche. In its usual early March slot it’s sometimes sunny but always cool, even cold, but this year the women’s peloton endured a dusty and memorable 40-degree slog through the Tuscan hills.

In the closing 30km, world champion Annemiek van Vleuten bridged a five-minute gap to race leader Mavi García, dropping her on Via Santa Caterina and winning alone in Siena’s Piazza il Campo. Impressive certainly, but not unexpected considering Van Vleuten’s domination in recent years. The Dutchwoman is one of a small number of women from a handful of teams who have monopolised the biggest races, and a win for anyone outside that group would have been a big surprise.

We have grown used to Boels-Dolmans topping the rankings, with anyone from Anna van der Breggen to Christine Majerus or Amy Pieters winning. Van Vleuten and Amanda Spratt have led Mitchelton-Scott against the clock and in the hills. Though Canyon-Sram failed to win in 2020, Kasia Niewiadoma’s second place at