Wout van Aert confident but realistic towards Flanders: "I see few possible scenarios where you beat Mathieu and Pogacar"

Team Visma | Lease a Bike is a team of big hitters and terrific riders, but in the cobbled classics it's main weapon will be Wout van Aert. The Belgian is always grounded, knowing he faces generational rivals in Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogacar, but is confident that it is possible to reach the level to beat them.

“I think I initially had a difficult winter, but after that I was able to work well. I also haven't forgotten how I felt in the Vuelta a España. That knee injury was very annoying, but never of such a nature that I thought 'this is not going to be resolved'," the Belgian shared with Wielerflits. "In that respect, I was able to finish this winter with a certain confidence, that I can get back to my usual level.”

Van Aert rode through the cyclocross campaign with some technical difficulties but with good legs, a few wins in the bag and a silver medal at the World Championships where he wasn't sure to participate at first. It was a strong winter where he pushed through a nagging injury suffered in September of last year.

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After a psychologically difficult year, marked by two crashes that had disastrous consequences, he starts his season next week at the Clásica Jaén Paraiso Interior and then backs that up with the Volta ao Algarve. But all of this is with the cobbled classics in mind. He admits he was surprised when he learnt of Tadej Pogacar's schedule.

“I didn’t really curse, but I was mainly impressed by his program. Where he still takes on a lot of hay," he tells. "In many classics, there are still many strategies and everything is possible, of course also in the Tour of Flanders. But that is also the race that is decided by the legs. I see few possible scenarios where you beat Mathieu and Pogačar, while you yourself are less strong," van Aert admits. A brilliant climber in this kind of terrain, a very experienced rider with a great team, but in Flanders this may not be enough.

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In climbs such as the Koppenberg, Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg, at the end of 6 hours of racing, the very best can make the difference and Wout van Aert's hope is to have the legs to at least match his two history-making rivals. "In my case, I would have to be at least their equal to have a chance.”

But in Roubaix the story is not necessarily the same as the W/Kg and climbing legs matter little, and instead the raw power and tactics becomes more important. In this aspect, Visma has a more even fight and van Aert will start without the disadvantage that he has found in recent years against his rivals.

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