The ‘Big Three’ of cycling – Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert and Julian Alaphilippe – colored the final of the Tour of Flanders on Sunday, but just like last month in Milan-San Remo, the victory in a monument went to an outsider . Kasper Asgreen beat Van der Poel in a sprint and thus won his dream race.
Interview after interview, the surprising winner of the Tour of Flanders gets the same question: did you really believe in the last kilometer in Oudenaarde that you could beat the defending champion and many winner Van der Poel in the sprint?
“I had confidence in my legs,” Asgreen replies with a smile. “Of course I didn’t know how Mathieu felt, but I felt that I had something left in the final. So I really started to believe in it towards the finish.”
The 26-year-old Dane won the E3 Saxo Bank Classic more than a week ago – a small version of the Tour of Flanders – and so he was mentioned in most previews of the Flemish ‘High Mass’. But as with almost all classics of the past months, there were only three top favorites: Van der Poel, Van Aert and Alaphilippe.
“It’s normal for them to get the most attention,” said Asgreen. “Mathieu, Wout and Julian are probably the best cyclists in the world and have already won a lot. Ha, they have beaten me more times this season than I have them.”
Kasper Asgreen (center) was in the decisive flight with Wout van Aert (left) and Mathieu van der Poel.
Kasper Asgreen (center) was in the decisive flight with Wout van Aert (left) and Mathieu van der Poel. Photo: Pro Shots
–
–
–
‘Unbelievable that I have won a monument’
On Sunday, however, Asgreen was without a doubt the very best rider in the peloton. He came back well after he crashed just after the Kanarieberg, with 70 kilometers to go, and had to change bikes.
Then he showed himself stronger than his team mate Alaphilippe, he was able to come along, unlike Van Aert, when Van der Poel attacked the Oude Kwaremont and he was much too strong for Van der Poel in the sprint.
“I’ve always thought this was the best race of all, ever since I watched Tom Boonen and Fabian Cancellara as a fan on television,” said Asgreen. “The combination of the cobblestones, steep climbs and the length makes this race so beautiful. And so difficult to win.”
The Deceuninck-Quick-Step rider finished second two years ago on his debut in the Tour of Flanders, behind Alberto Bettiol. “I am a much better rider now. I have a lot more experience, I have ridden many more finals in cobbled classics. That helped me a lot. It is incredible that I have now won a monument, it is a dream come true.”
– .
