Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal) won the Serra de Tramuntana in Mallorca and took a stage win and second overall in the Tour du Var. However, the Belgian rider, who missed the opening weekend of racing due to a stomach ailment, will race on Saturday on the Strade Bianche, a 63-km white gravel road.

"Missing last week's Omloop Het Nieuwsblad was painful. 'It was really bad timing for me to get sick and unfortunately I couldn't translate my good form into results in Omloop. But fortunately I'm fully recovered now, I've had a good training the last few days and my legs feel good again."

Wellens made the podium at Strade Bianche, where he competed for the first time in 2017, finishing third behind compatriot Greg Van Avermaet after Michal Kwiatkowski won solo. he raced there in 2019 and 2021, finishing 10th and 13th place finishes. After finishing second in the new Classica Haen Paraiso Interior last month and regaining his gravel legs, he will be looking for even better results this time around.

"I am really looking forward to Strade Bianche. It's a special race for the riders and the fans and I love being at the start. I want to fight for victory again this year," said Wellens.

With defending champion Mathieu van der Pol and 2020 winner Wout van Aert not on the start line, Wellens is joined by 2019 winner Julien Alaphilippe (Quick Step-Alfa Vinyl), Tour de France winner Tadey Pogachar (UAE Team Emirates), and Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers), who will be watching the main contenders at key points along the course.

"I expect Strade's traditional start to explode on the seventh gravel section, the infamous Monte Santo Marie. Perhaps, as in previous years, the selection will take place here and the race will be decided."

Wellens will be joined by Roger Kluge, Harry Sweeney, and Maxime Van Gils, who are competing in Strade Bianche for the first time, and Brent Van More, Andreas Kron, and Victor Kampenaerts, who are competing for the second time.