Dredging de Lee, 100% from Philipsen and an extraordinary Spanish: 8 positions for Omloop and Corneille

Christoph Vandegor: “No, the basis remains the same, with Mühlenberg as the gateway to the final. At the moment, the wind is expected to be from the southwest, which means it is blowing in favor of a large part of the final. During that long period” if it extends beyond Bosberg (more than 10 kilometers) to the end, the wind will be diagonal from behind. “That could play a role.”

Jose de Quire: “The nature of the race remains unchanged, which means the weather forecast will actually play a bigger role than any minor adjustments. You have to be there in Mühlenberg (40km from the finish). Anyone who misses the train there can. It's still difficult to put things into perspective. the correct.”

Christoph Vandegor: “Without a doubt. I see a resemblance to Wout van Aert in 2022. He then also qualified for the US Cycling World Championships and won the Omloop, even though that was his first race at the time. I'm not saying anything new By saying that he is everyone's favourite.”

“For the rest, it is a very strong team with well-known names and also the new arrival Matteo Jorgenson, who is one of the best transfers. They will have to stay the course, but they will not turn their backs on that.”

Jose de Quire: “They have better riders, but there is a mark on the bodywork due to the loss of Nathan van Hooydonk. He knows these races well and is at home here. Don't underestimate his absence, although the team is broad enough to accommodate that. To catch.”

“Of course there is still a difference, but Visma-Lease a Bike seems better equipped to me. Let's say they have 75 percent of the key. They will decide what happens.”

Christoph Vandegor: “They still have some impressive players with former winner Jasper Stuyven up front. Although keen, he will once again want to live up to his status as a leader. In recent years, he has been somewhat overtaken, but make no mistake: “Stuyven is always there. in spring. He is constantly present. They also have Jonathan Milan, among others. If all goes well, they should and can set foot next to Visma-Lease a Bike.”

Jose de Quire: “You see it more and more. As Flemish people, we think everyone will ride Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. That makes sense for us, but that time is long gone. It's the customer's way. We have to deal with that 'All good riders together' In the same race, it will only happen a few times a year.”

“Almost all major races are won by the same riders. In those teams, chances are limited to riders who are just below the leaders. If someone like Mads Pedersen is missing, it's up to others to score.”

Christoph Vandegor: “I can't properly evaluate Jasper Philipsen at the moment. I suspect he will have other classics in his head. He has never performed well at Omloop in recent years.”

Jose de Quire: “It's still early in the season. This Omloop race will be his first race. To be 100 percent ready on Saturday, that shouldn't really be the case, because then we'll have to wait more than a month for what's to come.” Of wisdom. Good “I think this is going to be a problem.”

Christoph Vandegor: “I still think their team is impressive. It is the strongest possible obstacle. Julian Alaphilippe has to show that he is still a great driver, Casper Asgren showed in the Tour that he has not forgotten how to win and Yves Lambert is always racing.”

“I'm curious to see how they handle it. In their tactics – attacking from afar – Soudal – the quick step has been overtaken. In 2022 since (Jacobsen in Korne) they have won a cobbled classic, but I expect a lot from them. As a Flemish cobbled team, we can't “He could afford not to participate in the final.”

Jose de Quire: “There are question marks. Their leaders are still at the age where they should be able to do that, but are they qualified against Van Aart? If they are at the same level, it could be a difficult team.”

Christoph Vandegor: “There is sometimes a gap between desire and ability. Last year, Arnaud de Lis had already won 3 times before Omloop, but his first days of racing now have been less good. That's to say the least.”

“He was a moral winner last year, but on Saturday they started as underdogs. That's what Lotto-Destiny himself said. De Lee has had a very tough training period on the hills with a lot of training kilometers. Either he will remove the tiles from the ceiling, or 'He's still In good shape. “After his first few matches, I wouldn't point to him as the best candidate.”

Jose de Quire“Other riders would be happy to finish second at this age, but De Lie was born for more. Just because you came second last year doesn't mean you'll come first this year. It doesn't work that way. De” he trained Lee strongly and in an unusual way with a lot of elevation gain. I've seen him set fire to the gravel race at Jane's. “It's been over a week: I'm curious.”

Christoph Vandegor: “Note Tim Wellens, who has already finished in the top 5 at Omloop 3 times. I also include guys like Stefan Kung, Matej Mohoric who has already won, and I also mention the funky Spaniard Auer Lazcano. As for Biniyam, I'm curious about Jermay and after his MTB win And his performance in the Algarve, I think Tom Pidcock is one of my favorites.”

Jose de Quire: “You're stuck in Visma-Lease a Bike. What race can still be disrupted and end in surprise? This team controls the track and decides what happens. As a lower team, just try to get down. Then you already have to work with different teams, which won't It is happening”.

Christoph Vandegor: “On the other side of Omloop, Visma-Lease a Bike will replace Edoardo Affini with Per Strand Hagenes. Peloton Radio says we should keep an eye on him. It shouldn't be a surprise if he turns up like Tiesj Benoot.”

“I also look with suspicion at Luc Lamberti, the fast guy from Soudal-Quick Step. This strong boy is the kind of runner who could grow like Tom Boonen, without being called that. I also wonder how related Jermain and Gerben Thyjsen are to each other.” Some in Intermarché-Wanty. Who is allowed to sprint?”

Jose de Quire: “If it was a sprint race, we wouldn't see a group of 80 or 90 riders. Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne has the name of a sprint race, but that's not always true. Usually the winner is a big name.”