50 km from the conclusion of Strade Bianche, the unexpected happens: Tadej Pogacar takes a turn downhill, his rear wheel slips and the world champion falls heavily on the asphalt. A bad hit, a scrape on the tarmac and a flight into the meadow landing among the brambles. Pidcock skillfully avoided him, while Swift misjudged the trajectory and was forced to put a foot down.

Pogacar quickly got back up - with evident abrasions on the left side of his body - got back on his bicycle but immediately noticed his Colnago had some issues, made clear signals to his support car and at the entrance of the next gravel section changed bikes to launch into pursuit of Pidcock, an operation completed 44 km from the finish.