Jan Bakelants doesn't hide his ambitions for Unbound Gravel: "I hope to reach the top 10"

Unbound Gravel will take place this Saturday and many Belgians will be on the line as well. This includes former Maillot Jaune wearer Jan Bakelants, who wrapped up his road career after last season with Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux.

"When I stopped racing, it was never my intention to stop cycling," Bakelants explains. "I'm not one to sit still at home and am a bit of a globetrotter."

"In addition, I no longer have to train as much as I used to. It doesn't take much effort, but it does bring me pleasure."

Bakelants has ridden two gravel races so far (6th and 10th), both qualifiers for the real World Cup, later this year in Italy.

"I hope to reach the top 10," Bakelants expresses his ambition for Unbound Gravel. "I may be grossly underestimating it, but I have to tell myself something to camouflage my lack of preparation."

"But even if you have good legs, things can still go wrong. You have to replace your tire yourself if you get a puncture. Old school. If you are practiced, it can go quite quickly. Unfortunately, I am not," laughs Bakelants.