monte paschi eroica march 2008 - spartacus attacks!

This was only the second running of this unusual Spring Classic held in Italy, finishing in the ancient town of Siena. Inspired by Roubaix, Flanders and the retro sportive held on the course in the Autumn, the organisers use 7 sectors of 'strade bianchi' or white gravel roads to create a tough one-day race destined to become a classic.

A large group had been away most of the day, splintering to leave only Ryder Hesjedal (Slipstream) up front. A chasing group is closing in fast as they enter the final sector of' 'sterrati' gravel road. Cancellara (aka Spartacus) has been doing his charging bull thing in previous sectors and takes off in pursuit of Hesjedal..........

Ballan and Cancellara continued to hold on to their slender advantage for the next 8 kilometres, setting up for a slightly surreal, narrow urban showdown in the last km........