"I would still choose Mathieu" - Niki Terpstra laments absence of Dylan van Baarle at Tour of Flanders, chooses Mathieu van der Poel as possible winner

Niki Terpstra was the winner of the Tour of Flanders back in 2018 aboard a strong Quick-Step team. Now retired, the Dutchman analyses the chances and provides his opinion on some of the main Dutch figures heading - or not - into the race.

"It was really cool, but miss...? No. If that was the case, I quit too early. I've done great things and have memories of how cool it was, but it's a closed chapter," Terpstra told De Telegraaf. “I am still a huge fan of the race. I'm looking forward to seeing how the game is played from the couch. Jumbo-Visma is obviously the team to beat, because they won all the cobbled classics this spring."

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The 38-year old, who has retired last year, is one of the most experienced classics riders in modern cycling, having won both Flanders and Roubaix, and having a combined total of 27 participations between the two. He had high hopes that compatriot Dylan van Baarle could play out for the victory after last year's second place - and subsequent Paris-Roubaix win - but the Jumbo-Visma rider hasn't recovered from a leg injury which saw him in pain over the cobbles.

"It's a pity that Van Baarle is not there due to his fall in the E3 Saxo Bank Classic, because if he is top, he could have won," Terpstra argues. "He showed that last year with his second place. At Jumbo-Visma, however, they have many other men to play, such as of course Wout van Aert, Christophe Laporte and Tiesj Benoot."

The nation's hopes rely the most on Mathieu van der Poel, winner of Milano-Sanremo and second at the E3 Saxo Classic. Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel, "these are the real specialists, who are explosive on the climbs," the Dutchman continues, before revealing who he thinks will take the victory: "They have the content and a sprint in their legs. Of course I am also very much looking forward to that match. If I put money on it, I would still choose Mathieu."

"They have several strong riders at UAE Emirates and Alpecin-Deceuninck. These three teams will probably start a 'war' with each other, and maybe Soudal Quick-Step can benefit from that," he says of his old team, who will have several cards to play but begin the race as outsiders.