"It is not the first year that a surprise comes out of the box": Soudal boss backs Stuyven and Van Baarle to make their mark despite star-studded Tour of Flanders field

Tom Steels knows exactly what his team is up against at the Tour of Flanders on Sunday. Tadej Pogacar, Wout van Aert, Mathieu van der Poel and Remco Evenepoel - on paper, it is hard to look past those four. But the Soudal - Quick-Step sports director is not ready to concede the race before it has even started, and he has good reason for that confidence.

Steels was open about where the race favouritism lies, but equally firm about the quality his own team brings. "On paper it does look like it will be fought out between those four. But I have to say that Jasper and Dylan are in good shape. Those are two big engines that will come into their own in a race of almost 280 kilometres," he said in words to WielerFlits.

The plan is not to sit back and hope. "We have to race attractively and be smart. The main thing will be not to miss the big moves, and I think we have the team for that. Despite having four world-class riders, there are always chances in a race that you should not doubt and just go for. You have to have that confidence. In Oudenaarde we will see what the result is," Steels said. He also drew comfort from history. "The race must first be ridden. It is not the first year that a surprise comes out of the box."

Steels also had plenty to say about Remco Evenepoel, his former rider, who makes his Tour of Flanders debut on Sunday. The sports director is convinced that the Belgian will cause headaches for the other favourites, particularly on the flat and rolling sections between the climbs.

"Especially on those in-between sections. You know that if you give him 200 or 300 metres, it is a hell of a job to get him back afterwards. If he goes, it is up to the other three. You cannot leave that to teammates," he warned.

And for those who have wondered whether Flanders really suits Evenepoel, Steels has long had his answer ready. "We have always said: the moment he starts racing in the Tour of Flanders, it will turn out to be a race that suits him well. We will see that on Sunday, I think."