"No rider can be at the level" - Felipe Orts complements Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert but looks to surprise in their absence

Felipe Orts was fifth in Maasmechelen last week and comes into the European Championships in great form. After missing the Koppenbercross, he looks to take advantage of the freshness and surprise in a race that will miss the main figures of the discipline.

Orts has no doubt that against Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert he could not compete, but with their absence space opens up for others: "They rule. No rider can be at the level. Even Pidcock. But if they are not there, everything opens up," Orts said in an interview with Marca. "I arrive with the ideal point. Both tiredness and freshness to fight. There is a lot of water and we won't be able to fight in groups. The rhythm will be broken and it won't be decided in the end. It's good for me,"

The Spanish champion has developed quite a lot over the past few years and has become a regular figure inside the Top10 at World Cup races. He shares that this year he will not be seeking success in particular cups, but instead build towards specific goals - and the Europeans in Pontchâteau are part of that.

"There are two marked blocks: European and four races, longer rest than usual and returning for the Nationals, Benidorm and World Championships as the main objectives," he shares, eyeing for a second peak in his winter during January, as will the likes of van der Poel who's already shared his calendar for the season, starting only in late December.

Orts was also asked about van Aert and his possible goals of racing the Giro d'Italia and aim for the overall classification. "He will never be able to do a full season, but by adjusting races he can be perfectly fine. If it were my case... I would dedicate a year and a half to the Giro," Orts responded. "In their case there is no problem: they don't care if they don't start at 100%."