Powless celebrates, Niermann in despair: "My fault, my responsibility"

Whether it was Dylan van Baarle, Tiesj Benoot, Matteo Jorgenson, or Wout van Aert, they all emphasized that everything went perfectly according to plan in Dwars door Vlaanderen. Just before the Knokteberg - with a little less than a hundred kilometers to go - the yellow-and-blacks pulled everyone along, after which they delivered the final blow before Berg ten Houte and found themselves with three men in the lead.

Easy-peasy, you might say. You would be wrong because Van Aert was appointed leader within the Visma | Lease a Bike headquarters. After a lead-out from Jorgenson and Benoot, the Belgian leader had too little energy - and too many cramps - in his legs to finish it off: Powless shot past him like a pink flash and threw his hands up in disbelief while Benoot's hands were on his helmet in no time. And Niermann and co were undoubtedly scratching their heads.

Grischa, when did you decide to take it to a sprint?
"In the last few kilometers, when we were sure they wouldn't come back from behind. At first, we decided we wanted to work together because they could still return. At a certain point, we decided - Van Aert clearly stated that he made that decision - to sprint, but in hindsight, I should have decided to attack and drop Powless." He was, of course, brought to the finish line by the Killerbees, and Wout was suffering from cramps.

What feeling prevails?
"It is my fault, my responsibility. I should have overruled them and told them they would have to take turns in the breakaway to win the race, but I didn't. I am very disappointed in myself because the men rode an excellent race until the last straight line. This is an extension of the last few races, which is a bit much for me to take in."

Was that choice made because it would be best for Wout if he could gain (confidence)?
"Everyone wants to win, but of course, it would have been nice if Wout had been able to win. We had faith in Wout's sprint, but it shows that strange things can happen after such a tough, long final. And that is the case now because Wout will beat Powless in nine out of ten cases. Although that is no excuse."

How exactly did that decision come about?
"Just before the finish, we were in contact with those men, and they said they would make it a sprint. I should have said that was not a good idea and that they should break away. They made that choice, and I did not overrule them. But in the end, I am responsible for the tactics, and that is how I see it."

Did you have too much faith in Wout, then?
"Normally, he wins a sprint like that, and he had perfect legs. He rode a great race. You don't come up with this scenario. The most likely scenario to win is for one man to ride solo to the finish, as we have done in recent years. And then this is just a big mistake."

Did your riders ride like you planned?
"We had a plan on how we wanted to do it. And the guys did a great job. We knew that the approach to Berg ten Houte would be very difficult with a tailwind and that it could be very windy there, so the positioning went very well."

What are your thoughts going into the Tour of Flanders?
"Right now, it's mostly disappointment but also the realization that we rode a great race and showed our class. But right now, disappointment is the dominant emotion. Wout certainly showed that he is in good shape, but one thing is for sure: Van der Poel and Pogacar have shown that they are the top favorites for the Tour of Flanders. But we also have a great team overall. We will discuss the situation and develop the best possible tactics in the coming days."