The first monument of the year, over nearly 300 kilometres, was coloured by a leading group of ten riders. They were given a maximum of ten minutes and were caught on the Cipressa. Team Jumbo-Visma was still in the front with the entire team until the Poggio. When the favourites started to attack, Van Aert was able to follow.

”I thought that Trentin’s attack was the decisive one, but it came a little too early”, Van Aert said. ”Sixth is not bad, but the podium was very close. I felt great all day. On the Cipressa and the Poggio it went smoothly and I crossed the top among the first. This is a great debut in such a race and it has whetted my appetite. I will definitely come back here to aim for more. It is also a confirmation that we worked well during the training camp in Spain last week. This certainly gives confidence for the upcoming classics in Belgium. My form is good.”

Sports-director Jan Boven was impressed by Van Aert and his team. “I was convinced that we were able to do this. Everyone was really good today. This is a confirmation that we are moving in the right direction and that we can come very far in the classics with this team. Taking into account that Dylan Groenewegen was able to follow until one kilometre below the top of the Poggio, I believe he can win this race in the future with a specific preparation.”