"The knee is healing nicely, but my ribs still bother me" - Wout van Aert not at 100% for Paris-Roubaix

Heading into Paris-Roubaix 2023 as one the pre-race favourites, Wout van Aert has moved to cool expectations with the Jumbo-Visma admitting he isn't yet back to full strength after falling in the Tour of Flanders.

"The knee is healing nicely, but my ribs still bother me and I also had some reaction after the reconnaissance," the 28-year-old tells NOS. "We will have to see to what extent that will burden me in the race," he continues before admitting that "in theory" he enters the race at less than 100 percent.

Following victory at the E3 Saxo Classic, podium finishes at Milano-Sanremo and Gent-Wevelgem, van Aert had to settle for fourth at last weekend's Tour of Flanders and amazingly for someone as naturally talented as he is, van Aert has just the sole monument victory to his name from Sanremo in 2020.

"I have concluded that I have ridden super well in recent weeks and that I cannot blame myself," says van Aert who will ride amongst an icredibly strong Jumbo-Visma line up that includes last year's winner Dylan van Baarle and inform Christophe Laporte. "However, we expected a lot from De Ronde and it is always difficult to take."