“Last year's Tour of Flanders was characterized by one man: Tadej Pogacar" - Kasper Asgreen expecting more open battle this Spring with Slovenian's focus elsewhere

A runner-up at the Tour of Flanders in 2019 and winner in 2021, Kasper Asgreen had to settle for seventh last year as Tadej Pogacar put in a race for the ages. With the Slovenian's focus elsewhere however, Asgreen is optimistic about his chances in 2024.

“Last year's Tour of Flanders was characterized by one man: Tadej Pogacar," the 29-year-old of Soudal - Quick-Step recalls in conversation with In de Leiderstrui. "With the way he started the race, by going so fast on the second climb of the Oude Kwaremont, he determined the race. Everyone knew it would happen, but only two riders could come along at the time."

In 2024, Tadej Pogacar will take on the Giro d'Italia/Tour de France double for the first time in his career and as such won't be present at the Tour of Flanders. "So I expect a more classic scenario," Asgreen previews. "It will still open early, but that was also the case when I won in 2021. Those long finals are here to stay, it is part of modern cycling. The riders want to create a show and those long finals are part of that."

Therefore, Asgreen is quietly confident of once again making an impression at the head of the race. "When I'm at my best, I'm one of the best riders. I wasn't that last year, when I was still coming back from an injury," he explains. "After the stage win in the Tour de France, I have the feeling that I have been able to put all that behind me, so we can look ahead again. I also have the motivation to compete against those big guys again."