Wellens is expecting a very strong Pogacar in a potential clash with Van der Poel: "Tadej is going to be very good"

Tim Wellens has wrapped up his spring classics season and is now taking some well-deserved downtime. The friendly Belgian from UAE Team Emirates competed in both cobblestone classics and hilly races and performed commendably. His campaign ended on a high note with a third-place finish at the Flèche Brabançonne, where he spoke briefly with IDLProCycling.com.

"I'm relieved that the Flèche Brabançonne was my last race. Although I didn’t race as much as some, the classics are incredibly taxing. They really drain you, both physically and mentally," Wellens reflected, having consistently been in contention in every one-day race, but did not manage to win.

From Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne to Paris-Roubaix and Brabantse Pijl: Wellens was on point

Participating in Paris-Roubaix for the first time was also a pleasant experience for the Flemish rider from UAE. "Especially since I was at the front," laughed Wellens, who finished fifteenth in the Hell of the North. "It’s especially enjoyable to ride at the front in such a grueling race."

Like in 2023, Wellens mainly focused on the cobblestone classics, but he also took part in a few other races. And while his strengths may well lie in the Ardennes races, "This year was much like last year, which I enjoyed. Not much changed, except I had to race fewer days in the Ruta del Sol. That might have actually been a good thing for me. I felt strong in every race I entered."

Wellens has high expectations for Pogacar in Liège-Bastogne-Liège

Thus, the man from Sint-Truiden is very pleased with his season. "I'm really happy with what I've shown in 2024. It was a great spring. I didn’t win any races, which is always tough, but I'm happy with the high placements I managed to achieve."

At Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Wellens will be watching from the sidelines as his teammate and top favorite Tadej Pogacar takes on the challenge. A fierce clash with the in-form world champion Mathieu van der Poel is anticipated at La Doyenne. "I think it’s going to be an exciting battle," Wellens predicted. "Moreover, I believe Tadej will be in top form. He’s been preparing optimally in the Sierra Nevada. He started off with some rough weather, including snow, but now the conditions have improved significantly for him. I think he’s going to be in excellent shape for Liège."