The spring of Mathieu van der Poel (and Jasper Philipsen) is known: world champion starts in Milan, but the end in Liège is still a question mark

The spring program of Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) is known. The world champion will not start in Milan-San Remo until March 16, his team revealed on Friday.

Van der Poel, currently training on the Costa Blanca in Spain, will therefore not only skip the Flemish opening weekend, but also Strade Bianche and Tirreno-Adriatico. Milan-San Remo, the cycling monument where he won last year, marks the start of the season.

Afterwards, ‘MVDP’ will travel to Flanders for three cobbled classics: the E3 Saxo Classic, Ghent-Wevelgem and the Tour of Flanders. These three Flemish races are followed by Paris-Roubaix, where Van der Poel also won last year.

Unlike last year, Van der Poel will also add the Dutch Amstel Gold Race to his program. Liège-Bastogne-Liège is currently still a question mark on the Dutchman’s programme.

Teammate Jasper Philipsen will be at the start of the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on Saturday. The ‘Vlam van Ham’ also suddenly takes Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. It then goes via Tirreno-Adriatico and Nokere Koerse, before taking its chance in Milan-San Remo. Brugge-De Panne, Ghent-Wevelgem and Dwars door Vlaanderen are the preparation for the Tour, followed by Paris-Roubaix where Philipsen came second last year. He also drives the Amstel.

2024-02-23 14:29:38
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