Soudal Quick-Step’s woes continue as Julian Alaphilippe crashes out of Strade Bianche

Soudal Quick Step’s disappointing Spring Classics campaign continued at Strade Bianche with the Belgian team failing to secure a result inside the top 30 after leader Julian Alaphilippe crashed out before Tadej Pogačar’s monstrous 81km solo break.

The concerning result continued the squad’s run of Classics results after they failed to make an impression during Opening Weekend.

Alaphilippe came into Saturday’s Strade Bianche as a former winner and a possible contender for at least a top-ten result. However, by the time television cameras began broadcasting live footage, the Frenchman was already a non-factor having crashed before the critical Monte Sante Marie sector.

Fellow teammate Paul Magnier, who has been a revelation so far this year with sprint wins in the Tour of Oman and Trofeo Ses Salines-Felanitx, also crashed out of the race.

Mauri Vansevenant briefly rallied and battled his way into the chase group behind the flying Pogačar but he too faded in the poor conditions. In the end, Kasper Asgreen led the team home in 40th place, almost twelve minutes down on Pogačar.

“Former Strade Bianche winner Julian Alaphilippe and neo-pro Paul Magnier were involved in separate crashes during Saturday’s edition of the Italian race, and as a consequence, had to abandon the event,” the team posted on their website.

Read more: Incredible Tadej Pogačar wins Strade Bianche after jaw-dropping 81km solo break

“The two-time World Champion suffered several abrasions, but after being assessed by Soudal Quick-Step’s medical staff, he was cleared to start next week’s Tirreno-Adriatico, a race where he has won three stages. His fellow countryman – victorious in two races this season – was taken to the hospital for detailed investigations, but luckily there were no serious injuries and he can start working towards different goals.”

Soudal Quick-Step have been on the back foot in the Classics so far but have been firing on all cylinders elsewhere. Remco Evenepoel has started the season strongly with a stage win and the overall title at the Volta ao Algarve, while sprinter Tim Merlier won three WorldTour level stages at the recent UAE Tour.

Once seen as the dominant Classics squad inside the men’s peloton, Soudal Quick-Step have been knocked off their mantle in recent seasons. In Strade Bianche it didn’t go unnoticed that Belgian rivals, Lotto Dstny - once seen as Classics minnow in comparison - managed to post a rider on the podium in Maxim Van Gils.

Read more: Tom Pidcock: There were dead bodies everywhere when Tadej Pogačar attacked at Strade Bianche

On Saturday morning a defiant team boss, Patrick Lefevere, used his weekend column in Het Nieuwsblad to ask for patience.

“Everyone knows my adage by now: we will make the spring evaluation after Liège. But one clear message: we are not going to be defeatist along the way,” he wrote.

Not for the first time in the last few years, Lefevere might be waiting for Evenepoel’s Ardennes appearances to rescue the situation.