'We know the top favourite now' - Soudal Quick-Step braced for Van der Poel challenge at Omloop

Yves Lampaert and his Soudal-QuickStep teammates were out reconnoitring the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad course when word reached them of Mathieu van der Poel’s participation on Saturday. The news wasn’t entirely out of left field given the persistent rumours in recent weeks, but the Dutchman’s presence changes the dynamic of the race.

“It’s not a surprise. Everyone kind of saw it coming, and with this one, we know the big favourite right away,” Lampaert told Het Laatste Nieuws. “It remains to be seen how eager he is to push the pace. Alpecin-Premier Tech also have Jasper Philipsen for the sprint, so it could go either way for them as well.”

Lampaert will hope that his own team can lean on their range of options for Omloop. Paul Magnier, second a year ago, showcased his pre-Opening Weekend form with two stage wins at the Volta ao Algarve, and the Frenchman will lead the line on Saturday alongside new signings Jasper Stuyven and Dylan van Baarle, both past winners of Omloop. The Soudal-QuickStep line-up for Omloop is completed by Casper Pedersen, Pepijn Reinderink and Dries Van Gestel.

“With Paul, we have a super-fast, in-form guy,” Van Baarle told Sporza. “Jasper was a bit sick, but he’ll be there too. The three of us form a good unit, and behind that, there are some guys who should be ready for the final. The main thing is to learn to understand each other during the race.”

Directeur sportif Tom Steels maintained that Tuesday’s course recon was an integral part of that process, particularly given Magnier’s relative inexperience on the terrain, despite his podium finish a year ago.

“It’s a mental step to get back into the game,” Steels told Sporza. “The memories and adrenaline automatically come flooding back when you’re riding up the hills, and a lot of experience is passed on to guys like Paul Magnier. More is said during a recon like this than most people realise.”

Magnier, Stuyven and Van Baarle will all double up by riding Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne on Sunday, when the Soudal-QuickStep roser will also feature Laurenz Rex, Bert Van Lerberghe, Jonathan Vervenne and development team rider Cerial Desal.

Directeur sportif Iljo Keisse rated the chances of a bunch sprint in Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne at “fifty-fifty,” noting the prospect of crosswinds on the course.

“There will be some wind that could make a selection,” Keisse said. “We’ll try to be in the finale with Paul, who’ll rely on a strong team to support him there.”