Cycling
In the final stage of Tirreno-Adriatico, Jasper Philipsen once again had to admit his superiority to Jonathan Milan, but that is no reason to panic: “I am growing into my best form.”
Jasper Philipsen flew from Bologna to Belgium last night. The day after tomorrow, the victorious king of 2023 will be at the start of Nokere Koerse, after which he will return to Italy in the evening for Milan-San Remo. “Nokere Koerse has gained in importance as a competition in recent years. That is why the team and I wanted to be at the start,” Philipsen explained his busy schedule.
In the final stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico, Philipsen had to acknowledge his superiority in Jonathan Milan, just like in stage four. A small dent in confidence, although the stage race did give him that extra percentage, he thought. “I don’t have the best feeling yet,” said our compatriot, “but overall this Tirreno went well. With the exception of that crash (in the third stage, ed.). You’d rather try to avoid something like that. I was able to use this week to grow into my best shape.”
An increasing level of form is necessary, because the first monument of the season is on the program on Saturday with Milan-Sanremo. “The question, however, is whether Sanremo is still a classic for sprinters,” laughed the fast man from Alpecin-Deceuninck. “With guys like Tadej Pogacar at the start, a sprint is no longer so obvious. If the weather conditions are good, I am convinced that a sprint from a thinned out peloton is still a possibility. I was really not far from the first at the top of the Poggio last year and a lot can still happen afterwards.”
Of course, spring does not stop in Sanremo. Philipsen impressed last year with wins in Bruges-De Panne and the Scheldeprijs and a second place in Paris-Roubaix. What can it be this time? Philipsen: “I’m looking forward to Gent-Wevelgem and Dwars door Vlaanderen, two races that should suit me. And of course Roubaix is high on the agenda again.”(gvdl)
