Jasper Philipsen counting with luxury leadout - "Van der Poel will undoubtedly help me"

Stage 2 of Tirreno-Adriatico will most likely be a bunch sprint, and Jasper Philipsen will be looking to test his max power in competition for the first time this year.

“We still have to get some race rhythm, but since last week the legs are getting better. I think we trained well, we prepared well. This week we have some nice opportunities," he said before the start of the second day of the Italian event. With quite a lot of strong competition alongside, it won't be an easy task for the Belgian who has only started his season at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad - finishing 33rd. He did not finish Kuurne - Bruxelles - Kuurne.

Alpecin-Deceuninck will have full focus on supporting it's sprinter: “You have a lot of good sprinters here, they are not only in Paris-Nice. Many teams will want a sprint. Van der Poel will undoubtedly help me. He is so strong that he might be able to do the work of two riders," he concluded. 

This race will also see the debut of Ramon Sinkeldam alongside Philipsen, a signing that the Belgian team will hope to make a change in the bunch sprints over the year. Michael Gogl has had to abandon the race this morning which comes as a small hit, but Philipsen will nevertheless be among the main favourites.