Matteo Trentin describes Tour of Flanders as "a perfect race" from UAE Team Emirates

With Tadej Pogacar's Tour of Flanders win, UAE Team Emirates were always going to be delighted. Away from the Slovenian, impressive performances, most notably by Matteo Trentin helped ensure that it was "a perfect race" for the team.

“Finally I also rode a good Tour of Flanders for once,” says Trentin to Wielerflits. “I did a kind of lead out to the foot of the Oude Kwaremont, to wear everyone out before Tadej launched his attack. That worked pretty well and so a perfect race, I think!"

UAE Team Emirates team manager Mauro Gianetti agrees with his riders take on the race although he doesn't think it was quite perfect. “Unfortunately we lost Tim Wellens due to the fall. He had to play a hugely important role for us,” Gianetti explains. “There were very good riders in the leading group. Three minutes in the Tour of Flanders is a big gap. We didn't feel panic, but it shouldn't have been more than three minutes."

“It was an immense day,” continues Gianetti. "For us as a team, but also for all cycling fans, it was one of the most beautiful races ever. Anyway, I can't remember one like that. Featuring an epic Tadej. He was so strong, so good. But also Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, Mads Pedersen - who was also very strong - and Tom Pidcock. It was such a beautiful fight! In the end, the best man in the solo race wins the best race there is.”