Ronde van Vlaanderen, J. Biermans: "the biggest race of the year for me"
The Ronde van Vlaabderen is the high point of a period of classics in Belgium, the great meeting place for specialists of the ‘Bergs’ and cobbles.
“For us Belgians, the “Ronde” is the biggest race of the year. There will be a lot of excitement on Sunday on the roadsides and on the hills. We have a great team at the start of this race. On the Ronde, all the teams want to anticipate the final. When we talk about “final” in the Ronde, it is often the last 100 kilometers. We have to capitalize on our collective: this group of classics has been working together for a few weeks, we know each other well. That should be our strength on Sunday.”
“I’m a little bit nervous about my first Monument but I think it’s important to start early: the more I participate in these big races, the more experience I gain. There is a good atmosphere between us and that helps me gain confidence. Racing in three Flemish classics this season has allowed me to get used to a terrain that I didn’t know before, and I’m starting to appreciate the environment around it, especially the popular fervor. On Sunday, it will be a completely different matter. It is surely the most beautiful race of this period of the season with Paris-Roubaix: there will be euphoria, tension to be well placed. It will be totally different from what I have experienced. But it will be another good experience to take.”
“From my point of view, the Ronde is the most beautiful of the classics: there is a fantastic atmosphere and from a sporting point of view the scenario is always exciting. Matîs, David, Jenthe, Hugo, Dan and Clément are all riders who are now experienced in these great events. For his part, Mathis will know his first participation in a Monument. We know that there are 3 favorites at the start. We know the adversity, the terrain, we have been practicing all that for two weeks. It’s still the Ronde, but there’s still room for a good race.”