Van Aert, who was labeled a top favourite by many, has had a successful Italian week. He won Strade Bianche and sprinted to third place in Milano-Torino. It is Team Jumbo-Visma’s seventh victory of the season after a bizarre week that was overshadowed by the serious incident in the Tour of Poland. Van Aert: “Unfortunately it was a week with intense and mixed emotions. I am happy to be able to deliver this beauty to the team.”

In the 305 kilometre-long Milano-Sanremo, seven leaders escaped quickly. Partly due to the hard work of Antwan Tolhoek, they did not get much space. The race started on the Cipressa. Van Aert was well positioned in the peloton the entire time. Alaphilippe launched the decisive attack on the Poggio. Van Aert followed, but had to leave a gap just before the top. In the descent the two riders came together again. The chasing group came close, but the Belgian timed his sprint perfectly. Alaphilippe came close, but Van Aert took the longest on the Via Roma.

“I am super happy”, Van Aert said. “I can’t believe I won Milan-Sanremo and Strade Bianche. I have no words for it. To restart the season like this is crazy and really nice.”

He immediately felt that he had good legs. “I had a good feeling from the start. It is of course a very long course. In the beginning I focused on eating, drinking and staying cool.”

Van Aert was well supported by his teammates. “We were on a mission with the whole team. Antwan worked hard in the peloton. Bert-Jan Lindeman and Paul Martens kept me well in front. Then Timo Roosen stayed with me towards the Cipressa and Amund Jansen did a fantastic job on the Poggio. They were beyond themselves. That was very nice to see.”