"I'm a bit angry about how the race went since I really felt like there was more possible" - Stefan Küng settles for 9th place after a mechanical in key moment

Stefan Küng may not be an outstanding favourite for upcoming cobbled Monuments, but with everyone looking at Tadej Pogacar, Mathieu van der Poel and Mads Pedersen, an opportunity may open up for a rider like Küng to ride away towards glory. However Dwars door Vlaanderen wasn't the race for the tall Swiss.

"It really wasn't an ideal day," Küng exhales heavily at the finish line in interview for Eurosport. "The problem was the second time Berg Ten Houte. I had a problem with derailleur, my chain kept jumping on and off and every time I tried to push hard it just wouldn't respond."

"I was only able to change the bike after Mariaborrestraat [25 kilometers later, ed.]. I had to make a big effort to come back and I felt that towards the end. I just had to do way too much effort and in the end it was useless," he laughs.

It was still an impressive ride from Küng who was able to then join the move of Mads Pedersen that fought it out for remaining spots in the top-10 behind the leading four. Obviously sprints aren't a cup of the Groupama - FDJ timetrialist, but a 9th place isn't entirely a disaster.

Stefan Küng remains among the wider range of favourites for Tour of Flanders this Sunday, and especially Paris-Roubaix a week later. How does the Swissman evaluate his form with view to the two Monuments? "The shape is good. But I'm a bit angry about how the race went since I really felt like there was more possible today," he concludes.