Can Joshua Tarling become a classics rider following Dwars door Vlaanderen breakthrough? "I expect a lot from myself"

Joshua Tarling is only a fresh 20 years old but is already the reigning time-trial European Champion and is already taking on his second cobbled classics campaign. After finishing with the best at Dwars door Vlaanderen, he admits that he dreams of winning a classic one day.

“It was already good. It was a tough period for me (2023, ed.), but this year I already have more experience. I can also say that I am in better shape than I was then. So things should get better," Tarling said in an interview with Wielerflits. “It is a goal to one day win a classic, but that is everyone's goal."

The Briton is far from a strong climber but his raw power means he can do well in the shorter efforts and in the cobbled classics where this is key. He finished sixth in the Belgian World Tour classic this past Wednesday, riding a strong race to make it into the main group that battled for victory. He praises this evolution, justifying it by some changes in his training methods: “This winter I did a little bit of everything. I spent some time on the climbs, but also in Andorra, where I live."

"Then I also trained for my time trial during a long training block in the sun. I think I had a good preparation and start to the season. I don't feel those expectations. Above all, I expect a lot from myself. That was also the case last year. I want to constantly improve myself," he assures. The Briton is set for his Tour of Flanders debut this weekend in what will be another important step in his development.