AT THE START. Van Aert continues to feel stiff hip after fall: “In the corner where the blows fall”, Philipsen sees “opportunities without Mathieu”

Wout van Aert: “I keep feeling the stiffness in my hip”

The big question at the start: has Wout van Aert already recovered from his fall on the Paterberg? “I don’t really have any pain in my hip, but I still feel some stiffness. It remains a sensitive place. I was able to train well yesterday, so I don’t expect any problems. I hope to confirm today that I am in good shape. I’m not thinking about Sunday yet. We can win this race today with the team, so that is what the focus must be now.”

Downer for Visma-Lease a Bike: no Christophe Laporte and Dylan van Baarle today. “We are in the corner where the blows are falling. Let’s hope we’ve had our share of bad luck now. Hopefully the boys can recover quickly. Fortunately, we have a broad core to still field a good team.”

Victor Campenaerts: “De Lie was no longer the best version of himself”

Arnaud De Lie recently drew a line through his spring. The leader of Lotto Dstny needs a (mental) reset. What does that mean for the rest of the team? “We will do everything we can to achieve a good result, but the list of participants is stronger than in previous years. We have an even team. There is no absolute leader who stands head and shoulders above the rest.

“With Arnaud De Lie we normally have someone who can follow Wout van Aert when he a cartouche stands out. Now that is not the case, but on the other hand it also makes for an ‘easier’ way of racing. As long as someone from our team can move along, we are in a good situation.”

“It was a good choice to take Arnaud off course. He was no longer the best version of himself. His best version will return soon, but not yet for the classics. It is a combination of circumstances, but the fall in Le Samyn in particular was a major culprit. We will give him the necessary rest.”

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Mads Pedersen: “We have many options to play out”

These are high days at Lidl-Trek, after a win in Gent-Wevelgem for Pedersen and a second place for Jasper Stuyven in the E3. Still, Pedersen wants to keep the pressure off. “We are professional riders, festivities will only be after the last classic in Roubaix. We first focus on the following goals and want to tackle all races as best as possible. I prefer to complete as many matches as possible to fully get into the rhythm.”

“During the race I can train better and harder. We will try as in the previous two races. We have many options to play out. The round? If I can put it that way, that is the course that is the most difficult for me. It will be difficult to get a good result there.”

Tim Wellens: “I want to get a good result today”

“I can’t complain about my legs. Everything is going well for the time being and I have already achieved some good results. Today is another great opportunity. For me, this race is not training for the Tour, I just want to get a good result. We are at the start with a strong team.”

The UAE leader also looked ahead to the Tour. “Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel are the favorites for Sunday. There are not many riders who can follow them. The goal is to anticipate before they attack. Hopefully they look at each other and we can take advantage of that.”

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Philipsen: “No Mathieu? That offers opportunities for myself and others”

“I hope to capitalize on my good form today. That Mathieu is not here today? That offers opportunities for myself, but also for other teammates such as Søren Kragh Andersen and Gianni Vermeersch.”

Alberto Bettiol: “I like how Van Aert and Van der Poel handle pressure”

“We have to be at our best mentally and physically today to achieve something. We’ll see what we can do today.” The Italian looks on with admiration at the pressure that Van Aert and Van der Poel have to experience. “I like how Van Aert and Van der Poel handle the pressure. Even more than what they show on their bikes. That is something I also have to learn.”

Oliver Naesen: “I expect an open race”

Oliver Naesen, one of the shadow favorites, also shares the opinion of his buddy Campenaerts. “This is the last appointment before the Tour, so everyone needs those last extra kilometers. It’s not a long match, so the final will open up early. I expect an open race.”