Despite great form, Tim Wellens will not be a leader at Strade Bianche - "Pogacar remains our best chance of winning"

Every single race that Tim Wellens has participated in so far this year, he has been deep in the action. No less is expected at Strade Bianche, a race that suits him very well. Despite this he admits that he will be riding in support of Tadej Pogacar, who despite only starting his season this Saturday has seemingly shown superior climbing form than the Belgian.

“On Saturday I'm not really thinking about my own result, no. The most important thing is that the victory remains within the team," Wellens told Het Nieuwsblad. "The intention is to start the final with as many pawns as possible around Tadej. Pogacar remains our best chance of winning. Suppose I get to the front with a promising group, then I will certainly not participate as long as Pogacar is not connected. Tadej can come after me at any time.”

Wellens is just off the back of a second place at Kuurne - Bruxelles - Kuurne where he was Wout van Aert's biggest rival, and he also impressed with his climbing ability at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad - having been the only rider to bridge across to the front group over the Muur de Geraardsbergen. Adding that to results of past few weeks, it is safe to say the 32-year old is in flying form, even if he admitted that he is not at his best yet.

But he gives insight on Pogacar's recent form: “While I was suffering during my block training, he quickly followed me in the wheel. Joking and guffawing and making videos. In short, Tadej is on another level," he shares. "I have no qualms about sacrificing myself for such a rider. Not even for a teammate, by the way. The general level within UAE Emirates is extremely high. Completing training with teammates is really impressive. The average speeds we then achieve…”

However Wellens believes that he can perform better under this role than otherwise. That is because UAE will have a degree of control over the race much bigger than what Wellens had in his days at Lotto Dstny. “Take Saturday... I think it would be nice to start as a teammate of the biggest favourite. To start the assignment with a clear tactic," he believes to be a big difference.

"It is also not the case that the team just looks at me if something happens to Tadej. There are countless pawns within our team with which we can play the proven Visma game."