Jan Bakelants impressed by Wout van Aert's early season form: "He is the one who made the best impression"

With the road season now in full swing, there have been plenty of riders that have caught the eye and shown good form. For Jan Bakelants, Wout van Aert in particular has been the standout.

"No one really knew what to think about the shape of Van Aert before Tirreno. However, he is the one who made the best impression on me," the former Tour de France stage winner explains. He fell during the 4th stage which he would undoubtedly have won. On the penultimate stage, he blew up the peloton. If he hadn't worked so hard, he would probably have won the stage as well."

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Wout van Aert "really did something crazy" at Tirreno-Adriatico, says Julian Alaphilippe

For the upcoming Milano-Sanremo, Bakelants confidently predicts, "Wout Van Aert is the number 1 favorite.” But who does the 37-year-old Belgian think could rival his younger compatriot for the title on the 18th of March?

"When we doubt Van der Poel, he always finds his best legs. Let's remember the Cyclo-Cross World Championship which he brilliantly won just last month," Bakelants says. "Alaphilippe is in good shape. He finished 2nd in stage 4 behind Roglic (at Tirreno-Adriatico). Girmay didn't totally convince me on Tirreno. Jasper Philipsen would have been a super favorite a few years ago, but the teams have changed their way of riding."

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Final startlist E3 Saxo Classic with Pogacar, van der Poel, van Aert, Alaphilippe, Pedersen, Girmay, Mohoric, Ganna and van Baarle