Team SD Worx has ruled the Strade Bianche in recent years. No fewer than five times, the team had already won the Italian gravel race (2015, 2016, 2018, 2021 and 2022). With outgoing winner Lotte Kopecky and Demi Vollering, the Dutch team also had two top favourites for this edition. 

Team SD Worx opted for control, where Kristen Faulkner set up a nice breakaway with a lead that increased to 1'45". On the Strada di Colle Pinzuto, Demi Vollering unleashed her devils. "The race plan was executed perfectly. At 18 kilometres from the end, Demi would attack and Lotte Kopecky would control," Danny Stam said. "At the last 'sterrato', we would then evaluate whether Lotte would jump as well. That was necessary to catch Faulkner back."

After which the two teammates climbed the Via Santa Catarina together. "It was exciting until the line," says winner Demi Vollering. "Lotte and I are killers, we always go to the limit and over the limit. We appreciate that about each other. Neither of us knew who had won, so there were some emotions involved. Lotte said to me almost immediately at the finish: Ooh, I'm glad you won. We made it a super nice race and there are no hard feelings between us."

Danny Stam also agrees. "This is a dream start. We have to enjoy this as long as it lasts. The pressure is off for a while now, but that doesn't mean we are satisfied because we have two big classics in. In cycling, everything starts again week by week. There are still very important races to come."