"I’d like to win more races” - Jasper Stuyven sends warning to rivals

Trek - Segafredo's Classics specialist, Jasper Stuyven has been speaking about his goals and plans for the 2023 season, sending a warning to his rivals. “I’m still hunting for a stage victory at the Tour de France. And that combined with another classic win would be would be great."

Now 30 years old, Stuyven has already tasted victory at Milan-Sanremo, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne. "I’ve been quite spoiled, let’s say in the last few years by always winning one classic,” the Belgian said. "I still have some big goals and vision.”

Being Belgian, the classics are the highlight of a season. "For me, it’s a bit like a Tour de France," Stuyven says. "It’s a level where everyone is ready to fight and commit and go 100 percent. Mentally and physically, it’s a hard race because it’s ‘our races.'”

Having come through during the time of Fabian Cancellara and Tom Boonen, Stuyven has seen the development of the Classics style of racing change over the years. "When I started was still the end of Fabian and Boonen, and it was fully control until the last 20km,” he said. “And now, it’s completely changing. So I’ve seen I’ve seen the change.”

With a reputation as someone who dislikes doing interviews, Stuyven admits he can sometimes be a bit emotional in the heat of the moment. “Maybe I should do some media training, but I am who I am. And I always be authentic,” Stuyven said "we’re not always smiling, and we can also have bad days, I am not going to apologize for when I’m really disappointed.”