Bruyneel sees Van der Poel and Van Aert riding with Pogačar too often: ‘It makes it easier for Pogačar’

Throughout the Flemish spring, we have seen plenty of outsiders doing the heavy lifting. Van der Poel won the E3 Saxo Classic, while Filippo Ganna took Dwars door Vlaanderen. “But now Pogačar is there,” Bruyneel noted. “Flanders and Roubaix are different races, because there are more factors involved than just being the strongest. It can go wrong very easily. But if everything goes according to plan, Pogačar wins solo.”

The world champion may have shown a level so far that is even higher than ever before. “It’s a much harder race than what we’ve seen up to this point. The only one who could follow him would be Van der Poel. Last year he got dropped, but he had crashed and was also a bit ill. This year I was surprised that he had to let go on the Poggio, I didn’t see that coming, especially after Tirreno. And if you can’t follow him there, then after a hard race in Flanders, Pogačar goes solo on the Kwaremont.”

Hincapie agreed with that assessment and pointed to Milan-Sanremo as an example. “What he did in Sanremo, we’ve never seen before in cycling. Van der Poel said afterwards that it was difficult for him to get out of the saddle because of his hand, but Pogačar was in pieces as well. I’m hoping to see a bit more competition in Flanders.” That Milan-Sanremo context has already been a major talking point on IDL Procycling as well, especially because Van Aert’s comeback ride after his crash was widely praised.

With Van der Poel and also a strong Wout van Aert in the field, Pogačar normally knows exactly where the competition is coming from. But that also creates a danger. “I think that if Pogačar doesn’t win, it will be an underdog,” Bruyneel said. “Someone who attacks between the climbs, someone strong enough to take advantage when UAE lose domestiques. But if it’s the favorites, I don’t see who can follow Pogačar.”

One thing is certain: Van der Poel and Van Aert will always race. But sometimes that can also work against them. “The problem is that these guys, when they get to the front with Pogačar, always want to cooperate. They would rather stay at the front and reduce the factors they cannot control. That is what makes them such great racers, but it also makes things a bit easier for Pogačar and his team.”

Still, the Belgian from Visma | Lease a Bike should not be underestimated. “What Wout van Aert did in Sanremo was at least just as impressive. He was caught up in that crash too, had to wait much longer, and needed a new bike. He wasn’t there on the Poggio, but he came back and finished third. He is definitely better this spring than he has been in previous years.”