Saturday marks the 117th edition of Milano-Sanremo. The riders are preparing for a long race, with the climbs of the Cipressa and the Poggio set to play a decisive role. In the streets of San Remo, the race will ultimately be decided after a battle of nearly 300 kilometers. 

Team Visma | Lease a Bike can rely on a strong squad as they aim for another victory in the Italian classic. One of the key riders for the yellow-and-black formation is Van Aert. The 31-year-old Belgian is in good form and knows what it feels like to win in Sanremo. In 2020, he claimed victory in La Primavera. 

“I skipped Milano–Sanremo for a few years, but I definitely wanted to start there again this season,” says Van Aert. “The race is one of the most beautiful on the cycling calendar. I really enjoyed watching last year’s exciting edition, so it’s extra motivating to be back at the start soon.” 

In recent weeks, Van Aert showed himself in Strade Bianche and Tirreno–Adriatico, where he further sharpened his form. “Overall, I’m satisfied with how I felt during those races,” he says. “I had a good week at Tirreno–Adriatico, where I was able to test myself several times. I’ve done everything I can to be ready. It’s the start of an important month with many top classics. I hope to be competitive everywhere. I’m not starting as the top favorite, but my goal is to win the race. I absolutely believe in my chances. Milano-Sanremo is a race where many scenarios are possible,” Van Aert concludes. 

Head of Racing Grischa Niermann also looks ahead: “We can rely on a strong group. In addition to Wout, riders like Matteo (Jorgenson) and Christophe (Laporte) have shown in recent races that they are in good form. With them, we can certainly play a role in the finale. We head to Milan with a lot of ambition.”