"Write it down: Van der Poel is one of the big favorites to wear the yellow on Saturday 1 July after the first stage of the Tour starting in Bilbao. On a similar course, the leader of
Alpecin-Deceuninck rode almost forty kilometers solo on Saturday to stage and overall victory in the Baloise Belgium Tour," writes Het Nieuwsblad full of awe.
"He was without a doubt the strongest in the race. So strong that the competition in the queen stage made a tactical plan without taking into account the Dutch leader of Alpecin-Deceuninck. Van der Poel is ready for a leading role in the Tour." Or as HLN columnist Michel Wuyts writes: "He's going to cause a lot of noise. In the first week I already expect a lot from him. Unlike Van Aert, he doesn't have to take anyone into account."