In-form Vos looks all set for battle against Kopecky: "Lotte is the woman to beat"

Comeback kid Marianne Vos is having a strong spring season. After winning the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Dwars door Vlaanderen was also well within her grasp, making her one of the top favorites for the Tour of Flanders. At the press conference of her team, Visma | Lease a Bike, she previewed Flanders' Finest alongside Fem van Empel.

"I'm feeling good," she started at the Ghelamco Arena - the stadium of the football club KAA Gent - where IDLProCycling.com was also present. "My performance in Dwars door Vlaanderen has given me confidence. But the Tour is really something else. I'm healthily nervous at the start. Anything can happen in the Flemish classics. You have to be continuously alert. I hope to be in contention in the finale and aim for a good result."

Vos bounces back after surgery

It's clear that the 36-year-old rider - who is making her twelfth appearance in the High Mass of cycling - is fully back after having to end her season in August due to a trapped iliac artery and the corresponding surgery. "I'm fully fit again after my surgery. It feels amazing to be contending for wins again."

When asked if she sees herself as a serious contender, she answers cautiously. "There are several favorites. As a team, we want to make our presence felt. Everything needs to go our way, but we're going for it. I know the area quite well."

Kopecky the favorite according to Vos, Van Empel makes her debut

Many view Lotte Kopecky - the world champion riding for SD Worx-Protime - as the outright favorite. "Lotte has been very dominant over the last two years," Vos commented. "It will be no different this Sunday. She is the woman to beat. And there's more. Lidl-Trek is also starting with a strong team. And we want to play to our strengths," she emphasizes again the importance of teamwork and collective strength.

Van Empel, who had to miss Gent-Wevelgem due to illness but participated in Dwars door Vlaanderen, also spoke up. "Unfortunately, I couldn't start in Gent-Wevelgem due to illness. Luckily, things went quite well on Wednesday. Sunday will be my first Tour of Flanders. I'm really looking forward to it. The course should suit me well."