Roglic thought about it, after the last stage of the Paris-Nice, to find the right definition for Wout Van Aert. The Belgian heard it and laughed, before hugging his teammate.
“It was super hard,” Primoz said, “but I’m much happier than I was a year ago. I want to thank my team and especially Wout. He's half human, half motorcycle.He can do anything. I didn't feel strong enough, that's for sure. I had no strength in my legs and had to fight to keep up. Luckily, Wout had a great day. It was really a big help in getting to the finish line».
Observed special
And today Van Aert will be one of those under special observation in the Sanremo that he won two years ago, when we ran in the summer. However a return to that French day is the tribute due to a champion who, above all, kept his word, putting himself at the service of his teammate.
«I'm happy – says the Belgian, who in the opening photo published on Instagram tries the final of the Classicissima – that we had really good legs. It was the race we knew we had to do. I realized it was necessary when Simon Yates attackedFor me the race was over at that point, I had already pushed hard. But when I saw that Roglic couldn't follow him, I thought: I have to try to hold on until the topI had no choice, although I actually caught up with Primoz and Quintana faster than expected. Then it was important to bring him to the finish line."
Classic Objective
The extra effort may have taken its toll on his overall energy management, which after Het Nieuwsblad he had explained that he wanted to ration his pace in order to get to Roubaix as quickly as possible.
«I left Paris-Nice – says the champion of the Jumbo Visma – with a good feeling. I may not have been brilliant in the sprints, but the victory in the time trial was very gratifying.I took home the green jersey after the Dauphiné and it could be an idea for the Tour too. As long as Primoz doesn't take the yellow one straight away and there's work to do for him. The fact that on the last day my legs were still so strong shows that my condition is very good.I'm happy about it, especially because it was the last really difficult week to prepare for the classics. The last block of work. Then it was important to rest, to digest the work. But whether it was better to race in France rather than the Tirreno-Adriatico, I'll tell you after Roubaix..."
Pogacar's plans
He arrives at Sanremo without much reference to what happened on Italian roads, but He knows well that on the betting front, his is one of the names with the lowest odds.
«Often in France – he says – we finished earlier and I almost always managed to follow the finals of the Tirreno while I was on the rollers loosening up my legsPogacar gave the impression that he could do whatever he wanted. And he is someone who will be difficult to follow on the PoggioFor me, he's definitely one of the big favorites today. I hope Primoz and I can do something, too. The idea is to shuffle the cards a bitI studied the route carefully. After Paris-Nice, I stopped in Italy, just over the border, near Sanremo. I spent some time with my wife, Sarah, and my family. Then on Thursday I went to Milan. I'm ready, I can't wait to start the spring of the classics».
It's hard to understand if the many cases of bronchitis that they have removed Colbrelli, Alaphilippe, Ewan and Stuyven from the deck will also be a disadvantage for Wout, who he would have had allies in them to possibly pursue Pogacar's attackAnd it's even more difficult to understand how much the news of Van der Poel's possible return has unnerved him, given that the Dutchman has often deprived him of the necessary lucidity. Certainly, Among the favourites for Sanremo, Van Aert seems to be one step ahead of even the super PogacarBut to find out how it will end, at this point, we just have to wait a few more hours.
