“I still can't believe that I'm in the picture like this" - Pim Ronhaar holds off late Wout van Aert charge to finish second in Koksijde

After a brilliant performance in Koksijde on Thursday, Pim Ronhaar finds himself alongside Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert on the podium after his second-placed finish.

“I still can't believe that I'm in the picture like this, that I'm riding around like that. I'm getting around better, but I don't necessarily feel better. But the consistency is just there," reflects the Baloise - Trek Lions star in his post-race interview. "Apparently my body has flicked a switch and I'm doing really well now.”

After van der Poel's initial attack, Ronhaar was the only one able to keep the world champion in sight for the next couple of laps. Eventually though, van der Poel rode off into the distance and Ronhaar was left to worry about a late comeback from Wout van Aert threatening his second place.

“I didn't look back once, but in the last lap I still got a bit nervous, because Wout still came very close,” Ronhaar admits. “I was able to ride through at speed. Then I knew that second place was in. I just feel really good about myself. It all just happens automatically.”