"What disappoints me a bit is the negative vibe around Wout van Aert" - Marcel Kittel and Tom Boonen preview Spring Classics

With the cyclocross campaign having almost having reached it's conclusion, attention for many is already turning towards the Spring Classics and whether or not Mathieu van der Poel will be able to continue his domination.

"Everyone who turned on their TV this winter will point in the same direction," says Classics legend, Tom Boonen in a preview of the upcoming spring for Sporza. "Mathieu van der Poel reaches a level at which I have not yet seen him."

Last year, the Spring was highlighted by van der Poel, van Aert and Tadej Pogacar. With the Slovenian targeting the Giro d'Italia this year though, a change to his schedule means no Tour of Flanders. Will van Aert and Team Visma | Lease a Bike see that as an advantage? Boonen isn't so sure. "With such a good van der Poel it is more of a disadvantage," he analyses. "The more souls, the merrier."

Marcel Kittel however, is more optimistic about the Belgian's chances. "What disappoints me a bit is the negative vibe around van Aert," the sprinting legend says. "He remains a top rider with so much talent. I still believe in him."