Naesen "can summarize the race in one word", Wellens "regretted not being at the front"

Oliver Naesen sprinted to fifth place in the chasing group at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. An unexpectedly impressive result for the rider from Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale, who, like everyone else, had to accept the dominance of Wout van Aert and his team!

"If the race is 200 kilometers long and the finale starts 150 kilometers from the finish, then we're in for a brutal spring," the 33-year-old rider began at Sporza. "I think we can summarize the race in one word: chasing. It was another super impressive performance from Visma - Lease a Bike. We were there just watching. I definitely can't beat them. At all levels, they are the strongest riders with the best support. Then you get a success story."

Whether that's bad for cycling, Naesen doesn't know. "If you look at the race today, you get an incredible Omloop. The peloton stayed within a minute the whole time and there were plenty of attacks. It was a fantastic race. And I'm very happy with my fifth place."

Tim Wellens: "My legs were really good today"

Tim Wellens was originally alert when Van Aert and four teammates broke open the race. However, the UAE-Belgian had to drop back due to a flat tire. "The race broke open super early. Visma had a very strong day and we thought it was over, but suddenly we started getting closer and closer. I didn't expect that, but just before the Wall I believed in it again. Antonio Morgado did fantastic work in his very first race in Flanders and Nils Politt attacked at the right moment. It's a bit of a shame I wasn't at the front. I would have preferred to race there. My legs were really good today. The team can only be satisfied with today's performance."