Van Gils confirms his authority from the podium of Strade Bianche.

Twelve were the gods of the Roman Pantheon and just one was the king: Jupiter, lord of the sky and the weather. Two were his brothers, Neptune and Pluto, gods of the seas and the underworld. Among the three, the universe was divided.

Siena, Italy, 2024. 175 contenders. One of them had already chosen and would soon let us know what his role would be in the Pantheon of Siena. Pogacar, after an uncertain start with incessant rain, would soon claim his scepter and his powers over the elements. In his service, the forces of nature would soon open up an incredible blue sky to accompany him on his triumphant journey to Piazza del Campo.

At 80 kilometers from the finish line, on the sterrato of Monte Sante Marie, Pogacar does what he had planned and attacks to go solo. Shortly after, the young aspiring god of our fable decides to begin his show.

Van Gils goes solo, Healy tries to catch him, twelve contenders come together but Bardet wants to leave. Van Eetvelt doesn’t let him and claims his share. For almost 30 kilometers, the other Lotto-Dstny, member by right of the final 12 of the Pantheon, becomes the protagonist. He doesn’t miss the lead of the chasing group (the first group after the escapee Pogacar).

The entire race is in this small peloton of just over twelve; beyond that, few know what fate has befallen the rest, those “humble” mortals.

Just 40 kilometers from the finish line, Maxim (Van Gils) and Lennert (Van Eetvelt) take advantage of a narrow stretch of sterrato to launch another attack, leveraging the acceleration of the Orca, which responds effortlessly to their demands. Some try to follow him but it is Van Gils who goes solo. The astonishing Belgian rides alone for 20 kilometers until Skujins, who had overcome certain mechanicals during the race, catches up to claim a more than fair place in the trio of celestial brothers.

The two fly together to the beautiful Siena. After the Fontebranda Gate, Santa Caterina in shadow. Pogacar no longer exists, a new race begins here.

Van Gils stands up, but the day has been tough for him to reach this point; his legs don’t quite respond, and Skujins, more mature and in good form, manages to cross the finish line of Il Campo in second place.

Van Gils is third, is there any difference? Maxim had already earned his honor 80 kilometers ago. Rarely had a podium occupants who deserved it as much as today; rarely had the gods claimed possession of the universe with such authority: Jupiter, Neptune, and Pluto; Tadej, Toms, and Maxim.

Now, you might wonder what has happened with the rest of the Pantheon. What about the rest of the twelve chosen? You should know that only one team, only the Lotto-Dstny, has placed two of its contenders at the top of the leaderboard, only two among the twelve chosen for glory.

Lotto-Dstny confirms that this amazing season is not just luck or a fleeting divine whim. This team is here to shine.