Wout van Aert rocked as much as the Milan-San Remo staff presentation with a recent haircut, one other signal that he’s able to race.
“I visited a hairdresser this afternoon. I wanted a Milan-San Remo makeover,” van Aert joked earlier than speaking race race techniques.
The Jumbo-Visma chief was pressured to overlook Strade Bianche and prolong his altitude coaching camp after sickness slowed his return to coaching after the UCI Cyclocross World Championships. He additionally crashed throughout Tirreno-Adriatico and begins Milan-San Remo with no win in 2023 however insisted he was able to race.
“I had a special preparation than I anticipated however I believe it is adequate,” Van Aert mentioned.
“I had a superb Tirreno-Adriatico and really feel prepared for Milan-San Remo,” he mentioned earlier than heading to his resort for a remaining meal of carbs for the close to seven-hour, 300km race on Saturday.
“It is at all times scary to experience for 300km but it surely’s a brilliant good Basic and considered one of my favourites. I hope to be excellent after which possibly achieve one other proportion level of kind for the subsequent races. However I am adequate to win Milan-San Remo.”
Van Aert chased after Tadej Pogačar quite a few instances on the Poggio final 12 months, maybe damaging his personal possibilities. He expects a special race this 12 months that might see assaults as early because the Cipressa from Pogačar but additionally basic strikes on the Poggio and maybe an opportunity for one of the best sprinters.
“I believe Pogačar will race in a different way this time,” Van Aert warned. “I additionally count on a robust Julian Alaphilippe. He could also be a bit underestimated now, however he is aware of learn how to completely time an assault on the Poggio.
“I am additionally conscious that Jasper Philipsen could possibly be a menace. I see him getting over the Poggio, too.”
