Jasper Philipsen ahead of Omloop het Nieuwsblad: "I do start with a lot of ambition, but without great expectations"

Jasper Philipsen is starting his 2023 season at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. A tough challenge for a first day on the job, but the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider doesn't feel the pressure coming in.

"It tickles. It's been a long time since I've ridden a race on Flemish soil. We have done a lot of training work with the team. But there is a bit more uncertainty, because I have not competed yet this season," Philipsen said ahead of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. "I do start with a lot of ambition, but without great expectations."

Although he is most commonly known as a sprinter, Philipsen has over several occasions proved his worth in the cobbles, and from within the sprinter field he's one of the best climbers in this type of terrain. In the absence of Mathieu van der Poel he leads the Belgian team with hopes of a sprint finish - backed up by a headwind in the final kilometers.

"I won't panic if I don't get good results tomorrow and Sunday. It's just the beginning of the Classics period. The top condition will be there against the Tirreno and the classics afterwards. There are still many great competitions to come," Philipsen added.

His main goal of the weekend should be at Kuurne - Bruxelles - Kuurne which favours the sprinters quite substantially more, however ahead of the spring this will be a good test to the Belgian's winter training.

"Sprinting with a thinned peloton like in the year Ballerini won. That would be ideal. It will be especially important to digest the hill zone well. I have to drive to the line as fresh as possible to be able to compete for the victory. I have a better chance there than in the Omloop. Especially if it becomes a sprint like last year," Philipsen concluded.