Tom Pidcock back to full strength just in time for the Tour of Flanders according to his coach: "I think he's good"

Returning to action at Dwars door Vlaanderen with a modest 11th placed finish, Tom Pidcock is now back at full strength and ready to challenge for the win at the Tour of Flanders, at least according to his longtime coach.

Kurt Bogaerts has guided Pidcock to numerous big wins including atop Alpe D'Huez at the Tour de France last year and he believes that any cobwebs have been blown away just in time for the Tour of Flanders.

"We trained a lot and did almost nothing the last two days before Dwars door Vlaanderen, to get a fresh start," Bogaerts tells In de Leiderstrui. "Hopefully this race has done what it had to do after a period without racing. How many percent has he lost? I don't really believe in percentages, but I think he's good."

Pidcock meanwhile admits he is confident and backs himself to challenge the all conquering trio of Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert and Tadej Pogacar. "I hope I win," Pidcock declares. ".That is possible, yes, but then it has to fall in my direction. I enjoyed the last races, which were hard racing. It is clear that those three guys have a very good level."