Marc Sergeant praises Alpecin-Premier Tech’s tactical perfection: ‘They’ve even got Sénéchal back on track’

Where the bunch had spent E3 attacking one another without any real cooperation, things were very different in what used to be Gent-Wevelgem. Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale and Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe in particular joined forces, which ultimately helped bring back both Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel.

Sergeant liked what he saw. “Compliments to the way a number of other teams this time organised the chase properly.” He then pointed to the experienced figures in that front group, riders he believes may have helped shape that mature racing approach. “I can’t shake the impression that Oliver Naesen and perhaps Gianni Vermeersch were the ones directing it all. Philipsen therefore owes part of his victory to them as well.”

The former pro was equally clear that Alpecin-Premier Tech deserved major credit for the way it raced. “They were tactically close to perfect. Not only Van der Poel and Philipsen, but the whole team.” With that, the Belgian was also referring to experienced rider Florian Sénéchal, from whom he had not expected too much beforehand.

“He had completely disappeared from the radar since leaving Quick-Step. But at Alpecin they’ve got him back on track, and he was a crucial piece in this victory.” Sergeant also reserved praise for Jonas Geens. “He once again proved his value in gold.”

Finally, Sergeant could hardly ignore Van der Poel. The Belgian also understood why the Dutchman did not fully commit in the closing phase. “After all, he had already emptied himself two days earlier.” Sergeant can already picture the Van der Poel-Philipsen combination again in a few weeks’ time. “In Roubaix, Philipsen can once more serve as the back-up option, which is a luxury.”

That Alpecin duo will, however, have to deal with Tadej Pogačar, and with Van Aert again as well. “This Van Aert is in good shape. It has been a very long time since he has been able to build toward the Tour of Flanders with this mindset,” Sergeant said hopefully. “He radiates calm and confidence. His ride on the Kemmelberg should quite rightly give him hope and belief.” Those comments fit with Van Aert’s own reaction and Visma | Lease a Bike’s internal view that his In Flanders Fields ride offered genuine encouragement ahead of the next major cobbled targets.

Still, Sergeant did see one blemish on Visma | Lease a Bike’s day in In Flanders Fields. “Timo Kielich’s broken collarbone is a negative. He is not an unimportant piece within Visma | Lease a Bike. Van Aert will miss him in the coming weeks,” he concluded.