Connor Swift put in a rousing ride at Strade Bianche in one of the best performances of his career.
The Yorkshireman finished 13th in Siena but the result alone didn't tell the full story of a fully committed ride.
Swift was part of an early 10-man breakaway group which entered the famed white road gravel sectors with a strong advantage.
Connor was then able to push on, going clear of his counterparts in a key moment of the race, while behind in the peloton Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling) and Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) attacked.
The duo quickly bridged across to the break, catching Swift with 77 kilometres remaining. Swift was forced to chase hard over the next 4km to bridge back on to the flying leaders.
The race was turned on its head with 50km to go as Pogacar crashed on a downhill fast left-hander. Swift checked up and came to a stop, with Pidcock able to continue unhindered.
A rousing comeback ride from Pogacar ensued, with Swift then forced to settle into his own rhythm as the groups behind came back to him.
As is often the case, Strade Bianche proved to be a bruising race for many riders.
Salvatore Puccio and Brandon Rivera were caught up in an early crash, with Puccio forced to abandon the race. Rivera would continue to the finish - with both riders sustaining cuts but expected to be okay to start on Monday at Tirreno-Adriatico.
The same is true for Michal Kwiatkowski. The two-time former winner crashed on the same corner as Pogacar, sustaining cuts to his arm.
At the finish Pogacar went on to become the first rider to win Strade on three occasions, taking victory by 1:24 over Pidcock. Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) rounded out the podium places.
Reaction
Connor Swift: "Hard race. I always kept on trying. The plan was for me to be in front for Kwiato. Then I found myself in that situation with Pogacar and Pidcock and those guys, it's crazy how fast they can ride, even just descending. Then Pogacar crashed and just trying to stay on his wheel, phenomenal.
"I made it hard for myself being in the breakaway from the start. I'm proud of my performance. I'm feeling pretty strong at the minute. We're trying to win races and race aggressively, and we achieved that today. I was the back-up option to be the support rider and I found myself fighting for my own opportunity.
"I don't know why I'm a bit emotional. I was on my knees, just going from group to group, trying to hang on. I like a bit of gravel so that keeps the motivation going. People have punctures, people have crashes, you can always come from behind, so you never stop believing."