"Would it be better for me to go solo? Maybe I should consider that" - Wout van Aert may not play for sprint at national championships

Wout van Aert thrived in the national champions so far, having won the time-trial which took place under rainy conditions. He has a chance to take a double title as he sets off for the road race today, but will be one of many contenders on the road.

“I think I will not be put forward as the top favorite, but rather as an underdog. Our team is strong but in the numerical minority if you look at Alpecin-Deceuninck for example," van Aert told Het Laatste Nieuws this morning. "There they will probably work for Jasper Philipsen. Tim Merlier is the fast man at Soudal – Quick-Step, but his team also has Remco Evenepoel on board. And then you have the Intermarché-Circus-Wanty block.”

The 231 kilometers will see a tough start with several rides over the Kemmelberg where the race may explode, however the finale is pan-flat. It can be raced as a classic however a sprint to decide the race will ultimately be the most likely scenario. Van Aert has not shown his best pure speed wise recently at the Tour de Suisse, but will be a contender in any scenario.

“The chance that it will be a sprint is very real. Would it be better for me to go solo? Maybe I should consider that," he admits, having to face very tough competition from other sprinters in the field, some of which he'll face at the Tour de France.