"We will be at the start on Saturday with expectations" - Alpecin-Deceuninck confident of positive season opener for Mathieu van der Poel at Milano-Sanremo

On the 16th of March, world champion Mathieu van der Poel makes his hotly-anticipated return to road racing at Milano-Sanremo. Although the first race of a season is always a question mark, Alpecin-Deceuninck are confident in their star.

"With what we know today, we are satisfied with Mathieu's level of form," team boss Christoph Roodhooft explains openly in conversation with Het Nieuwsblad. After another dominant winter that saw van der Poel reclaim his Cyclocross World Championship title, the Dutchman has certainly not forgotten how to win his races.

"And so it is logical that we will be at the start on Saturday with expectations. We do not fear a lack of competitive rhythm," Roodhooft declares optimistically. "Two years ago he also started his road season in Milan-Sanremo and finished third. After he'd come off of injury and it was only decided on Thursday to let him start as a replacement for the sick Gianni Vermeersch."

With Tadej Pogacar also present at the first monument of the season though, van der Poel is unlikely to have it all his own way. "It is a very difficult match to win, also for Van der Poel. But fortunately that applies to everyone. So we have a chance," Roodhooft assesses, noting how Pogacar's presence could actually be a positive for his leader. "If riders of that caliber are alone in a peloton, then all the weight of the race falls on them and their team. As soon as two or more real top players are at the start, the race starts and the race becomes much easier in which they can effectively win the race."