Dylan van Baarle has eyes on the prize: "Flanders is close to my heart"

Dylan van Baarle's transfer to Jumbo-Visma was one of the main moves of the year, as the Dutch team takes on an even higher level towards the cobbled classics. The 30-year old eyes success, however there is one race in particular where he wants to take the win.

Asked by Wielerflits about the Tour des Flandres, where van Baarle has finished second last year, the new Jumbo-Visma signing answered: “Flanders is close to my heart. That chance is quite big, at least for us as a team. Whether that's me, or Wout van Aert, Tiesj Benoot or Christophe Laporte. We can win all four.”

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Van Baarle will start the season at the opening weekend, before racing Tirreno-Adriatico and the main block of cobbled classics. Last season, Jumbo virtually dominated the cobbles before Flandres, but this time around they will have the Paris-Roubaix defending champion on their side.

“In theory, that's the ideal scenario, then our competitors have to get to work. But practice must show whether this is the case. Nothing changes in my way of racing. Jumbo-Visma wants to make it an interesting race, just like me," he said.

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Van Baarle has ridden the Tour des Flandres on nine occasions and finished on the Top10 in five different attempts. Last year after a strongly timed attack, he finished second as he bridged across to Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogacar in the final sprint, and finished behind the Dutchman.

"I think the Tour of Flanders is a super cool race. I would like to win in this one time. And yes, then Wout can win Roubaix,” he joked.

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