Philip Gilbertwho chose to ignore the Flandriennes and focus on the Ardennaises for his last season as a professional, had fun preface the Tour of Flanders, which will take place on Sunday, in a video published on its networks social.
The winner of Round in 2017 sees the Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin Fenix) win for the second time in Oudenaarde ahead of the Frenchman Christopher Laporte (Jumbo Visma) and the Slovenian Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates).
“I am not competing in the race, but many journalists have asked me for my opinion on Tadej Pogacar’s chances of victory, a souri Philippe Gilbert. This is the question of the year! Pogacar is a unique runner, he has already won many races despite his young age. He’s an intelligent rider, he learns quickly, he knows how to position himself… For me, he can win this Tour of Flanders, even if it will be his first participation in this race. I watched Waregem’s race on Wednesday, and he was there, he was just blocked by a small crash. He is very well surrounded within his team, and then, with this “new” final of the Tour of Flanders, since 2012 and the final circuit, it takes less knowledge and experience, even if the circuit is very demanding. It’s the legs that talk over there, it’s the best who wins! You can’t lie on a Tour of Flanders. When you have the legs, you are in front, that’s all.”
“This Tour of Flanders promises to be very open, took over the runner from the Lotto Soudal formation. We saw Mathieu van der Poel come back very strong following having solved his back problems, he was already very impressive in Sanremo, then at the International Week Coppi and Bartali, where he won a stage, before winning Wednesday at Waregem. There is also the Jumbo Visma block, which is very strong, and I hope to see some of my teammates in the final as well. The danger can also come from the Trek team, from Kasper Asgreen…”
