"It is now up to us to make up for his absence as best we can" - Wout van Aert comments on Dylan van Baarle's Tour of Flanders absence

Jumbo-Visma have revealed their lineup for the Tour of Flanders this afternoon. Noteworthy was the absence of Dylan van Baarle as the Dutchman continues to suffer from an injury sustained at Tirreno-Adriatico. Van Aert has shared his thoughts on the selection.

“It is a pity, but his health comes first. He is someone who is always one of the better ones in the longer classics such as the Tour of Flanders," van Aert told Het Nieuwsblad. Tim van Dijke was called in to replace him. “It is now up to us to make up for his absence as best we can. We have certainly proven in recent weeks that we can do that. We have a strong selection with which we can play different riders every time. I am confident that we can do the same on Sunday.”

Winner of Paris-Roubaix and second at the Tour of Flanders last year, van Baarle was expected to be a key card as Jumbo-Visma signed him for further classics domination. He's played a role in that, soloing to victory at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. However in the Italian stage-race the veteran has suffered a leg injury, and has reported pain riding over the cobblestones recently.

He was sidelined from Dwars door Vlaanderen and replaced by Christophe Laporte who went on to win the race. Now he will not take part in Flanders, and the signs point towards him not being able to race Paris-Roubaix. The team will feature van Aert, Laporte, but also the likes of Tiesj Benoot and Nathan van Hooydonck who can be important for the outcome of the race.