Tim Wellens on supporting role for Tadej Pogacar at Tour of Flanders: "I think I'm under more stress than he is "

Tim Wellens was on tremendous form in the Opening Weekend, but has since fallen to a domestique role within UAE Team Emirates. He's been doing his job well assisting Tadej Pogacar and tomorrow at the Tour of Flanders he will be a very important rider.

“What's the difference with those yellow men (joking reference regarding Jumbo-Visma)? That they have already won races. But we also have a good team and we are very motivated," Wellens told Sporza. “There is a real chance that Jumbo-Visma will attack from afar. Christophe Laporte and Tiesj Benoot can surprise where no one expects it. Hopefully we will be at the front and we can counter well. It is also not the case that Jumbo-Visma is the only team in the race. We just have to be alert.”

Whilst the race is expected to blow up at the latest in the Koppenberg, it'll be Jumbo-Visma's responsibility to try and use their depth to attack earlier. As is the case with Alpecin-Deceuninck, UAE Team Emirates have to match these attacks in order to not be forced to chase back and lose critical energy. Wellens will have the role of counter-attacking, or attacking himself in these moments so as to allow Tadej Pogacar to spend his bullets as late as possible.

The Belgian talks of Pogacar's mentality ahead of Flanders where he finished fourth last year and will be a big favourite this Sunday. "He has more experience now and he is incentivized to do better than in 2022. And he is doing well. He was also very relaxed for Milan-Sanremo and went to the start without any worries. I think I'm under more stress than he is and I'd like to sit in his place and ease into the start. Maybe that's different if you have such good legs," he concluded.