Team Jumbo-Visma can look back on a great classic season. Manager Richard Plugge’s formation achieved top results in all the monuments. Van Aert won Milan-Sanremo, Primoz Roglic took the victory in Liège-Bastogne-Liège and George Bennett finished second in the Il Lombardia. In addition, Strade Bianche was also won by the 26-year-old Van Aert. The Flemish also won the opening stage in the Dauphiné and two stages in the Tour de France. At the world championship he clinched the silver medal in both the time and the road race.

Van Aert indicated in Oudenaarde that the three strongest riders had taken the lead. “It was a great effort to join Van der Poel and Julian Alaphilippe after the Taaienberg. Though it was unfortunate that Julian crashed. I hope he’s okay. ” The Dutch champion and the Belgian time trial champion were then allowed to decide who would take the victory.

“I raced as I wanted and as I like to race”, said an honest Van Aert, who finished Flanders Finest on his reserve bike after a crash. “Some details could be better, but I’m not going to look for excuses. In the sprint Mathieu was a little bit stronger. I will see that sprint a number of times tonight. Maybe I waited a little too long, because in the last metres I got very close. It was a beautiful race. We really gave the people at home a great spectacle.”

Van Aert is now entering a rest period. “I am disappointed that there will be no Paris-Roubaix. I’m honestly having a hard time with that. But now I have time to let pride dominate. It is not self-evident to be in top shape for such a long time. After Strade Bianche I have not lost my good legs.”