Tim Wellens on Strade Bianche: "This year, I again want to compete for victory"

Lotto Soudal have high ambitions for Strade Bianche this year as they come with an in-form team capable of thriving in these types of classics. Tim Wellens is sure to be the leader, and he is confident that form and experience will be key to be able to contest the race victory.

“It was painful to miss the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad last week. It was really bad timing to get sick and unfortunately I couldn’t turn my fine form into a result at the Omloop. But fortunately I am now fully recovered, I trained well the past few days and the legs feel good again. I am really looking forward to Strade Bianche," Tim Wellens said in antecipation for the Italian classic. As a gravel road lover and carrying good form, Wellens is one of the favourites as the startlist is quite modest, although he has lost a key teammate in Victor Campenaerts last-minute, as have many other high-profile riders today.

"It’s a special race for both riders and fans and I just love to be at the start, maybe also because I’ve always had good results in the past. This year, I again want to compete for victory. I am expecting a traditional start to the Strade, with the race exploding on the seventh gravel section, the infamous Monte Sante Marie. That is probably where – like most years – the selection will be made and the race will be decided," he concluded.

Lotto Soudal for Strade Bianche: Tim Wellens, Andreas Kron, Roger Kluge, Maxim van Gils, Harry Sweeny and Brent van Moer.