"It is not easy to be the top favourite. They do that well" - Tim Wellens praises Team Visma | Lease a Bike after one-three at 2024 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad

Despite the best efforts of the likes of Tim Wellens, Team Visma | Lease a Bike were unquestionably the dominant force at the 2024 edition of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on Saturday, eventually taking first and third through Jan Tratnik and Wout van Aert respectively.

For Wellens, 12th was the best he could manage, although UAE Team Emirates teammate, Nils Politt did secure an impressive second place. “Today was confirmation of the form," Wellens tells Wielerflits in his post-race interview. “But it's at the finish that counts. We weren't at the front all day and in the final we were there anyway.”

Despite Wellens making a number of attacks, it was the move of Tratnik and his teammate Politt that eventually turned into the race-winning move. “I saw it was a perfect moment, but I fell just short," he laments. "Politt has done well and the team will be satisfied.”

Finally, Wellens had a word of congratulations for Team Visma | Lease a Bike. “If they continue the race and everyone is on board, then they have done well. It is not easy to be the top favourite and then race effectively and ride away. They do that well.”