"Today it is not really possible to make a plan" - Mathieu van der Poel expects the unexpected at Tour of Flanders

Mathieu van der Poel has experienced relative chaos at the E3 Saxo Classic and he expects similar tactics today in the peloton. As the Dutchman attempts to conquer a third Tour of Flanders

“Certainly today it is not really possible to make a plan. Many teams will attack in strange places, we have to be prepared for that. But I have to try to choose my moment," van der Poel told Sporza this morning. “That is an option, that they will start from afar. That is to be expected. Once you are in the hill zone, there are few long stretches left. In that respect, it's a long race to bear."

Last week when he faced Wout van Aert and Tadej Pogacar, van der Poel himself initiated the offensive, attacking twice early in the day and causing the decisive split. The sensation that his dialogue brings into Flanders is that the same could happen, specially as teams cannot wait for Jumbo-Visma to be the one attacking, initiative will be necessary from the likes of Alpecin-Deceuninck.

However, out of the 'big three', van der Poel is perhaps the one with the least pressure coming in, knowing he's a two-time winner and the victor of Milano-Sanremo recently: “The fact that I have already won twice, is a bit more relaxed. But I would like to win it again.”