Will Visma | Lease a Bike’s “unlucky ones” finally get some luck this spring? “Sometimes it feels like someone protects Van der Poel”

Van Aert would normally be the Dutch squad’s outright leader, and he appears to be coming into shape in time to play that role when it matters. “Wout is still a little in his rehab phase and has a screw in his ankle,” sports director Robert Wagner explained to Radsport-News. “But it was treated well and he was able to take part in the training camp fully. He’s currently at altitude.”

Very shortly after his crash in the snow, the Belgian was back riding again. That suggests he could already line up at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, with the team doing everything it can to make it happen. “Wout is a true professional and has a physiotherapist and his people around him in Belgium,” Wagner added. “They’re doing everything to make sure he’s fit — and stays fit.”

But Van Aert is not Visma’s only big hitter. Christophe Laporte is also a crucial card for the spring. Last year, the Frenchman missed a large chunk of the season due to cytomegalovirus. No spring, no Tour — but he returned late in the year, and if everything goes to plan, he should be ready to deliver when it counts.

Laporte is raring to get back onto the cobbles, and Wagner would love nothing more than to have him back at full strength. “Christophe is in very good shape,” he said. “In recent years he has been somewhat prone to illness in the spring. So far he’s doing really well and we hope it stays that way. Because he’s that kind of rider: if he’s there, he’s there! If he pins on a number, he’s always good.”

And then there is Matthew Brennan, the wildcard in Visma’s line-up. Can he already fight for the very biggest prizes this year? His Paris-Roubaix performance last season was promising. “Last year he rode a fantastic race there,” Wagner recalled. “He rode flawlessly, was always in the right place — but at some point the fatigue kicked in. He couldn’t hold his tempo over the full distance.”

If Visma | Lease a Bike want to win, they will likely have to beat Mathieu van der Poel — and they will also have to beat bad luck. The past few seasons have not been kind to them, while the Dutchman of Alpecin-Deceuninck has somehow managed to avoid disaster time and again. “Sometimes it feels like someone is protecting Mathieu and nothing ever happens to him,” Wagner laughed. “And then, on the other hand, it feels like we’re the ones who get hit hard.”

But if everything falls into place, Van Aert will be fighting for victory in the Tour of Flanders and, above all, Paris-Roubaix. “Then Wout will start in good condition,” Wagner said. “I expect the same from Mathieu. And we absolutely must not forget Tadej Pogačar — he might be the most important of them all. He’s also really eager to start and has announced that he wants to attack and win Roubaix.”

There is no shortage of challengers. “Every fan hopes for a battle between three or four riders — maybe even with Mads Pedersen,” Wagner added. And if it does come down to a clash of titans? “Then I hope the cards fall in our favour this time, and that Wout wins Roubaix or Flanders. That would be fantastic. Although personally, I think Roubaix might suit him even better.”