Tom, this spring was marked by Pogacar's demonstrations on the Strade Bianche and Liège-Bastogne-Liège as well as van der Poel's tours de force on the Ronde and Paris-Roubaix. Did it, like many, frustrate you in terms of suspense?
”I understand that this feeling exists among the general public. When you're an expert in cycling or a former runner like me, you don't necessarily see things from the same perspective. Personally, I'm really impressed by the totally crazy things these two riders are doing. This week, in a Flemish television program, I was asked what in my eyes was the best start to this classics campaign. I was totally unable to answer as Tadej and Mathieu gave me the feeling of folding the races when they had decided, without necessarily placing 'bombs' (laughs)… The ease with which the Slovenian, for example, left solo 80 kilometers from the finish of the Strade Bianche, leaves me admiring. He increases the rhythm to a crescendo without placing a sharp attack but his advantage then increases very quickly. When you know what it requires in terms of physical performance, it's crazy and we can only tip our hats off. But it's true that in terms of suspense for the final of the races, we've had better. No one sits in front of their TV to watch a runner do a two-hour solo (laughs)…”
No one sits down in front of their TV to watch a two-hour solo…
Do you consider that this could constitute a form of danger for the discipline? These phenomena are so strong that, when they do not find an opponent of their rank on their path, we sometimes have the feeling of being able to write the scenario in advance…
“We must not forget that this spring deprived us of several major confrontations. If van Aert does not come across A Travers la Flanders and Remco is at the start of the Doyenne as was theoretically the case, you probably would not have asked me this question. So I'm going to reverse the approach by telling you that if one day we could have van der Poel, Pogacar, Remco, Wout and Vingegaard at the start of the same race, that could offer us a sumptuous spectacle!”
Patrick Lefevere told us at the start of the week that he was considering aligning Evenepoel with Milan-Sanremo and the Tour of Flanders next year. Do you think, like him, that there is “Flandrien” in Brabançon?
”I had, in any case, already said two years ago that it would be worth a try (laughs)…Remco has already done fantastic things in one day races on several occasions and if he gives himself a year or two to gain some experience on this terrain, why wouldn't he be able to play the wins in the Ronde? He is capable of playing for victory on all types of courses.”
We rode Paris-Roubaix with Tom Boonen: “I was born with a talent for cobbles”
Tadej Pogacar, for his part, made it clear that he would try Paris-Roubaix in the near future. Do you think he can win the monument that is often said to be the most difficult within his reach?
”Yes, I am convinced of it. The modern equipment that runners use changes much of the equation. The bikes offer more comfort, the 32 millimeter wide tires provide greater ease in controlling the riding. In my time, when we rode with 23 mm tubulars, we needed a certain size and weight in order to negotiate the cobbled sections well, but today it's what the guys have in their legs that is become the only determining parameter. Pogacar may not have much experience on the cobbles but he has real tactical mastery. We don't often talk about it, but Paris-Roubaix is also a race in which the wind plays a major role. I even believe that Pogui is capable of winning in the Hell of the North from his first try…”
The Games may be a unique opportunity for van Aert.
How do you imagine the rest of Wout van Aert's season? Should he do the Tour de France or would you advise him to stick to his basic plan and focus on his preparation for the Olympic Games?
”At the risk of sounding a bit cliché in my answer, the Games only take place every four years. I have only participated once in this global event (Editor’s note: in 2012 in London, 28th) and it's clearly a small regret even if the nature of the other courses was not made for me. In Paris, Wout has a real opportunity to win a medal in both the time trial and the road race and I think he should seize it with both hands. It's an opportunity that may never come again… On the Grande Boucle, the Antwerp rider has already won nine stages, the green jersey and was an essential pawn in the final success of his teammate Vingegaard. He can return there next season.”
What is your revelation from this spring of classics?
”Laurence Pithie, the New Zealander from Groupama-FDJ. He's only 21 but doesn't seem to be afraid of much. (laughs)… He always attacks and fights even when he folds. If I were managing a team, he's definitely a guy I'd want in my core. The young people from Lotto Dstny like Van Gils and Van Eetvelt have also achieved very good things.”
De Lie must stay calm, he has the right mentality and time on his side.
The start of the season, however, was more complicated for Arnaud De Lie…
”Yes, but he must not panic and remain calm. It's obviously never pleasant to experience periods like this, but it's an integral part of learning as a young runner. His lack of results can be explained by a combination of circumstances over which he had no real control. He’s a young guy who has a great mentality and at 22 years old, he will still have many classic campaigns to hope to shine.”
After the classics, what program for the Belgians in the peloton?
