Jorgenson responds to van Aert's critics: "I understand they want to see Belgians on top, but riders are humans too"

Visma | Lease a Bike has completed its selection for Dwars door Vlaanderen. The Dutch team is counting on defending champion Matteo Jorgenson and Wout van Aert in Waregem. It will be a chance for Jorgenson to revisit the race where he won his first classic last year, while Van Aert is returning to the race that ruined his spring of 2024.

Richard Plugge's team is hoping to turn the tide. So far, Visma | Lease a Bike has not made a lasting impression in the Flemish spring races. Van Aert and Jorgenson could not yet hold their own against the violence of Mathieu van der Poel in particular. However, it must be said that Visma | Lease a Bike took a different approach to their preparation.

Olav Kooij was doing well, as we saw in Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne and again on Sunday in Gent-Wevelgem. The Dutch sprinter was following Mads Pedersen but unfortunately crashed. Kooij broke his collarbone and will, therefore, be unable to start in Dwars door Vlaanderen, where Tosh Van der Sande will replace him. Tiesj Benoot, Edoardo Affini, and Per Strand Hagenes, who is returning from illness, complete the team.

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Jorgenson defends Van Aert, who has been criticized

As the defending champion of Dwars door Vlaanderen, Jorgenson was part of an item on the cycling program Vivé le Velo on Monday. The American also received criticism on social media about his fellow leader, Van Aert, after the E3 Saxo Classic and wanted to say something about it. "I see much on social media about any Belgian rider who does anything. But just look at Wout's palmares: he is one of the best riders of all time."

"If he then rides a few bad races and receives comments, I understand they want to see Belgians on top, but riders are humans too," Jorgenson says. "I've also been to Tenerife, so I know what Wout's days were like without a wife and two children. All he could do was get up in the morning, weigh his food and train. He lives for cycling and does his best. In the end, there is not much more that you can do."

On Wednesday, the two will have a chance to give their best. "I would like to see Wout achieve a result in Dwars door Vlaanderen. That way, he can boost his confidence for Sunday. I hope we turn up the heat in the final," the American, who will also ride the Tour de France later this season, looks ahead." What I learn here in Flanders, I will take with me to the Tour. I may not be the standard type of classic rider, but you learn so much about positioning and dealing with nerves here."

Selection Visma | Lease a Bike Dwars door Vlaanderen 2025

Matteo Jorgenson
Wout van Aert
Tiesj Benoot
Tosh Van der Sande
Edoardo Affini
Per Strand Hagenes
Dylan van Baarle

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