"There's much for me to learn from them" - Per Strand Hagenes on racing classics with the likes of Wout Van Aert

Visma | Lease a Bike were once again behind most of the action at Sunday's Kuurne - Bruxelles - Kuurne. Part of the yellow-black lineup was also 20-year-old Norwegian talent Per Strand Hagenes who replaced Edoardo Affini at last minute. Speaking to IDLProCycling, he reveals his first impressions of racing the Bejgian classics with the likes of Wout Van Aert.

"It was a challenging race. I believe it took about sixty kilometers before the breakaway established itself for good, so it was quite lengthy. Then, after about 95 kilometers, we managed to apply pressure on the peloton, resulting in a significant split. There was a strong group with Wout, but more importantly, the breakaway made it incredibly difficult for the peloton to regain control."

"If Wout is in a breakaway group, that's obviously a disadvantage for others. So, that scenario worked well for us. He's incredibly strong, but also a genuinely nice guy. As a young rider, it's a great experience to ride alongside him, Tiesj, and basically everyone on the team. They have a wealth of experience, so there's much for me to learn from them. I always keep in mind that there's a lot for me to learn," said the Norwegian.

Hagenes should also get his own chances soon at Volta Limburg Classic next month. "So, in the Volta, I'll likely have more freedom because the other guys are gearing up for the day of The Ronde, just one day later. So, we might have a relatively smaller starting field, but it'll still be a high-quality lineup. It's a fantastic race for me," he shared.