Van Aert and Visma head into Brabantse Pijl and Amstel Gold with ambition: "If anyone can do it well, it's Wout"

"I'm looking forward to being back at the start of De Brabantse Pijl," van Aert said on the team's website. "I didn't ride the race for several years, but because of the calendar change, the race fits into my schedule this year. So, it’s an extra opportunity for me to ride a beautiful spring classic. I already came close to victory once in my first and only participation in 2021, so the course suits me. I feel good, so I definitely hope to be able to play a role in the finale again. With that goal, I will be at the start."

Tiesj Benoot is also eagerly looking forward to the Ardennes classics. In 2022 and 2024, the Belgian finished second in the only Dutch WorldTour classic. But he is more than capable of doing well in Friday's race, too: in 2017 and 2018, he also finished on the lowest step of the podium. "De Brabantse Pijl is an ideal preparation for the Amstel Gold Race," says the Belgian rider in Dutch service. "They are two beautiful races where I have managed to achieve a few places of honor in the past."

"In the Amstel Gold Race, teams usually start racing hard far from the finish line. I hope such a scenario will happen again. Also, the Cauberg gets a more important role in the finale again, which can be advantageous to the attackers. I definitely see chances for a top result with the team, starting with De Brabantse Pijl on Friday." Van Aert and Benoot will be supported by Niklas Behrens, Dan McLay, Tosh Van der Sande, and Julien Vermote.

The Dutch team will start the Amstel Gold Race with Van Aert, Benoot, McLay, Van Der Sande, Ben Tulett, Dylan Van Baarle, and Attila Valter. Team leader Frans Maassen thinks the race on Sunday will be very different from the one on Friday. "The Amstel Gold Race has a strong field of participants. Where you can still really see De Brabantse Pijl as a classic that runs partly over cobblestones, the Amstel Gold Race is all about climbing. The switch from cobblestones to hilly classics should not be underestimated. That combination is reserved for only a few riders, but if anyone can do it well, it's Wout. He has already proven that in the past."

The Dutchman won the race himself in 1991 and therefore has a soft spot for it. "It's a brilliant race. As a Dutch cycling team we ride in front of the home crowd. Hopefully we’re able to continue the upward trend of the last few weeks. Tiesj was already good in the Ardennes classics last season and has made it a goal this year as well and really lived up to it. Hopefully Ben Tulett can join our two leaders, so that we can show ourselves in the finale."