Visma | Lease a Bike saw Wout van Aert improve during the Tour of Flanders: "That's promising"

Head of racing Grischa Niermann told his story to IDLProCycling.com and others on the Visma | Lease a Bike bus. "This was the race we wanted to see. We rode a very good race. "It's a shame Wout didn't make the podium, but we should be proud of how we raced."

"It was clear that two were stronger: Tadej Pogacar in particular, but also Mathieu van der Poel," said Niermann. "On the hills, at least. But from the moment we anticipated with Tiesj Benoot, we were in the race. We tackled all the critical points in the race from the front, and Wout and Matteo Jorgenson also made a very good impression."

"It looked like Wout was the second strongest in the race near the end," he refers to the Oude Kwaremont, among others. "But I think the result tells the truth. He managed to respond again and again to the attacks from Mathieu and Tadej. That's a good sign. It shows that, as a team, we're in a good place — in both depth and quality. Today gives us confidence for what's still to come."

Did he improve during the race? "That's right, but I have no explanation for that. He did very well, also because of a small lead on the cobblestones. That just looked good. Until that moment, we still believed in it, but we also saw that Pogacar and Van der Poel rode away a few times and that the strongest rider was not with us because the strongest rider won."

So, there is absolutely no disappointment about missing out on the podium. "Wout was up against strong men who deserved to be on the podium. They are all fast, and he just fell short. It's a shame, but what can you do? Pride is the predominant feeling. In the E3 Saxo Classic, we did not perform as well as we would have liked, but we did well as a team in the last two races, with a strong Wout."

So there is a new appointment on Sunday. "Paris-Roubaix is a race that suits Wout very well, but it is also a chaotic race in which a lot can happen. We are well prepared, motivated, and aiming for the top.' Against Pogacar. '100 percent sure. We also saw in the Tour of Flanders that he can handle flat cobblestones."