Hagenes, the first victim of the 'Curse of Tenerife' for Visma | LaB, returns week after breaking his nose

Hagenes found himself on the asphalt after just a few kilometers in the E3 Saxo Classic and was taken off the course by his team with a headache. Afterwards, team manager Arthur van Dongen expressed dissatisfaction with the location where Hagenes - and also Dylan van Baarle - crashed. "On a new part of the course, the Waregem ring road, which is unimaginable to be included in the course... So many narrowings and obstacles on the road, which is not necessary at all," he bitterly stated.

The Norwegian returned home after his fall, but on Wednesday Van Dongen already informed IDLProCycling.com that he was on the road to recovery. During the consultation with the coaches of Visma | Lease a Bike, it was decided that Hagenes would be given the green light for the Volta NXT Classic, a race for which he was previously scheduled. "A great opportunity to go for his own success," he announced before his fall.

At least his form can't be gone, as he felt strong after three weeks in Tenerife. "I feel okay. It was a tough training camp because I was out with some strong guys. Normally, I would not start in the E3 Saxo Classic, but Christophe Laporte was still not completely fit after his illness. So that's why I had to come and fill in."

With Wout van Aert, Tiesj Benoot, and Jan Tratnik, Hagenes absorbed all the information like a sponge. "It was a very nice experience. I was able to see how the best riders in the world work towards their goals, so that was good to witness up close. Furthermore, the atmosphere was also very good; I think the other guys enjoyed it as well. We were with a small group of four riders, so that was very relaxed," he told IDLProCycling.com before the E3 Saxo Classic.

After Hagenes - who had to cancel Gent-Wevelgem and Dwars door Vlaanderen - Benoot, and Van Aert also hit the asphalt, then it was Tratnik's turn in Gent-Wevelgem on Sunday. The Slovenian, who broke his knee last year, had to give up after only 80 kilometers in Dwars door Vlaanderen on Wednesday, but then the worst was yet to come: leader Van Aert fell on the descent to the Kanarieberg and had to call an end to his spring campaign.

The Belgian let it be known one week earlier that Hagenes had to work hard every now and then on Tenerife and communicated this on Strava in a funny way: after three weeks, he had finally managed to get the young Norwegian to stop for a coffee with him. Hagenes got a smile on his face when we confronted him about it. "Normally, I skip the coffee stops on the longer climbs, so I'm a bit ahead of the other guys before it gets uphill. At least then I don't end up so far behind. Of course, I'm already an okay rider, but they are very strong on the longer climbs," winked the ever-sympathetic Scandinavian.

In the Volta NXT Classic, Hagenes, who is also normally scheduled for Paris-Roubaix, will start alongside experienced Belgians Tosh Van der Sande and Julien Vermote. They are joined from the promises team by Colby Simmons, Tom Schellekens, Morten Nortoft and Pietro Mattio.

By Strand Hagenes
Tosh Van der Sande
Julien Vermote
Colby Simmons
Tom Schellekens
Morten Nortoft
Pietro Mattio