"I don't think Pogacar doesn't make a difference to our way of racing" - Tiesj Benoot on Jumbo-Visma's tactics in the cobbled classics

Jumbo-Visma have the strongest team for the cobbled classics but they face tough competition. The unleashed offensive style of Tadej Pogacar may put the Dutch team under pressure for example, but Tiesj Benoot argues that his presence at the E3 Saxo Classic - and Tour des Flandres - does not change team tactics.

“The pressure on us will not be too bad. We were also looked at in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, then we were also the only team leading the way," Benoot told In de Leiderstrui in the eve of the E3 Saxo Classic. "I don't think much has changed after the first weekend, especially with Milan-Sanremo now."

The Dutch team will now have yet another card to play, Wout van Aert who skipped the early-season classics. He will make his debut here at the E3 Saxo Classic as the defending champion. Benoot, winner of Kuurne - Bruxelles - Kuurne, has had perhaps the single best first-hand experience of success at the Opening Weekend from the Dutch team. However van der Poel and Pogacar's recent display of form put question marks on whether they can dominate.

"Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel were also very strong in that, so I assume that those teams will also take control of the race," Benoot continues. "These are also riders who always want to race. UAE and Alpecin-Deceuninck must therefore also lead. I don't expect that from Quick Step, but Pogacar and Van der Poel will also take control of the races as two top favorites."

An attempt to shift pressure away, when it comes to depth Jumbo definitely have the advantage, but on the climbs the race may explode early and with figures such as Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel present, all is possible. They may try to anticipate Jumbo's tactics. "I don't think Pogacar doesn't make a difference to our way of racing," Benoot admits however. 

"We try to set the course in a certain situation. If Pogacar is with me then I also know that I shouldn't ride to the line with him. That also applies to Van der Poel. He's a very strong factor anyway. You can't predict what he will do next. I think he already proved in De Ronde last year that he can also ride uphill here very fast," the Belgian, who returned successfully from a serious injury suffered last August, explained. 

"In Strade Bianche I already had the feeling that I had the condition to ride in the front, And now I feel ready and good again. Weather? It was greasy during the recon, but I hope they will clean it up a bit. In any case, those weather conditions are not to our disadvantage," he concluded. Some rain and very strong winds are expected in Belgium this afternoon.