Ambitious Team Visma | Lease a Bike aims for good result in Tour of Flanders
With the Tour of Flanders, the second cycling monument of the season is just around the corner. Marianne Vos, who had to withdraw from Dwars door Vlaanderen on Wednesday, is fit again and will make her 13th appearance. Together with sports director Jan Boven, she looks ahead to the cycling classic.
Vos is happy to be part of the Team Visma | Lease a Bike selection. The 37-year-old rider did not feel fit last Wednesday and therefore had to miss out on Dwars door Vlaanderen. "Because I have not been completely fit the past few days, the preparation has not been ideal", Vos said. "But fortunately I feel better again. I'm happy to be at the start on Sunday."
The 22nd edition of Vlaanderens Mooiste covers just under 170 kilometres and includes twelve hills and seven cobbled sections. The Koppenberg, the Oude Kwaremont and the Paterberg are traditionally the classic's toughest climbs. "The Tour of Flanders is always special", Vos said.
"Whether you have a fondness for the hills and cobbles or not, you just want to be here as a rider. It's a special race for everyone. Many riders really make it a big goal. For us it is also an important race, in which we want to show ourselves. We want to ride a good race and fight for victory."
"I am convinced that she and Marianne will compete in the final."
Vos, who won the race in 2013, will be accompanied by Pauline Ferrand-Prévot. The two former world champions recently rode together for the first time in Trofeo Alfredo Binda and delivered a fine performance in Milan-Sanremo (Vos came second). According to sports director Jan Boven, both riders are capable of putting on a good performance on Sunday.
"It is hard to say at the moment whether we are in optimal shape, but Marianne is feeling better and Pauline has just returned from an altitude training. She has had a very good block and has shown in the past races that she has taken a step up in riding one-day races. I am convinced that she and Marianne will compete in the final."
Vos believes her and Ferrand-Prévot's experience can have a positive contribution. "Course knowledge and race experience are valuable, but in the end the physical aspect is most important. The strong riders always come out on top in the final." Boven knows where the race will ignite. "The first shuffle will be made at the top of the Koppenberg. Then the Oude Kwaremont and the Paterberg will be the real breakers."
