"I would like to see him compete with Wout van Aert" - Tom Boonen hints at Jasper Philipsen for Gent-Wevelgem victory

Jasper Philipsen has won the Classic Brugge-De Panne, a race that opened up the final block of Belgian classics. Tom Boonen, a legend in the area, has talked about the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider and reveals he has very high expectation of him.

"I think he is finally ready to make the connection in the classic work and win a race à la Gent-Wevelgem. Something I already expected 2 years ago," Tom Boonen said in a recent interview. "Jasper was already a very good rider overall as a youth rider, for example he finished 6th at the World Championship time trial for juniors. He is lucky that he is also fast. And what is the fastest way to many victories? Participating in bunch sprints."

A Belgian, it would be expected that Philipsen has weight on his shoulders. After winning the World Tour classic and two Tirreno-Adriatico stages, he's riding at a very high level and has prepared for the cobbles. Today at Gent - Wevelgem he has a very good opportunity to prove himself against what will be a world-class field in a race that suits other better.

"But now I would like to see him compete with Wout van Aert and co in the classics. Jasper is in a golden generation with a few big clappers who can cycle fast. But Jasper can do that too," Boonen concluded. In the absence of Mathieu van der Poel, Philipsen will be leading Alpecin-Deceuninck.