The Belgium rider is happy he can pin the bib numbers again. “Since the beginning of June, I’ve worked specifically towards the restart of the season. So for me, it can start again”, he said. “During the training camp in Tignes, we’ve put the finishing touches. My goal is to ride well immediately and to keep this as long as possible. Strade Bianche is a very nice race to start with. In the past, I rode good races after a training period, so that’s what I’m hoping for. After two podium places, I’m aiming for a top result again.”

In the Italian World Tour race, a big part of the classics team will start, for example Amund Jansen. “They are all strong men. That’s why I think that not only I should be ambitious, but also riders like Amund. We will do everything to get a good result”, Van Aert, who became third last year, said.

Mike Teunissen was also part of the line-up, but has been replaced by Koen Bouwman.