Jasper Philipsen doesn't let sprint defeats in UAE get to his head before the Opening weekend: "It's completely different racing here"

With disappointing UAE Tour a matter of past, Jasper Philipsen looks forward to the Opening weekend with a spark in his eye. And why wouldn't he be? There's surely some excitemenet in coming back to Belgium as a defender of titles at Milano-Sanremo, Brugge - De Panne and a two-time runner-up at Paris-Roubaix.

"Not all the sprints were perfect this week, but I just missed a little bit of speed I think," Philipsen told Cyclingnews about the UAE Tour where he was twice on the podium, but couldn't win.

"I trained really hard the last couple of months, and it's just easy spinning every day [in the UAE], which makes it different. I don't have the fastest sprinting legs at the moment."

According to the Belgian, the sprints in UAE were in no way inidication of what speed will riders have after 5 hours of full gas racing at the Classics. That is precisely where Philipsen hopes to get back at all his critics. "But you cannot compare this with the Classics; you just have completely different racing here. I'm just happy with the week and looking forward to the next races."

At the same time he admits that the Philipsen we have seen in February wasn't his best version. "Finding top shape is really individual. For some people, that sharpness comes back really quickly, but you also don't know what your rivals did for training. The feeling is alright for me. I may not be in top shape yet, but it's coming."

"The focus is more towards Classics for me this year. I'd really like to win one again this year. We also put our shape curve into this period, so I'm really looking forward to the Classics." Omloop may be coming a bit too early for Philipsen, but as one of the fastest men in the peloton, he's certainly not without a chance. "Hopefully, with some speed in the legs from some racing intensity here, it will sharpen me up."