The teams and riders of the Baloise Belgium Tour 2023 were presented in the square in front of the Scherpenheuvel Basilica on Tuesday evening. Rows and rows of spectators showed up and enjoyed the cycling high mass under a glorious summer sun. We spoke to some of the favourites.
Thibau Nys (Trek-Segafredo): “Stage to Durbuy should suit me”
“The ride to Durbuy should suit me. But we’ll see. It is also possible that I will be minutes behind, but the shape I am in right now, I should be able to always be one of the final contenders. That is still very different from winning, but I will try to prove myself. I’m not thinking of the general classification, I’m going for a stage win.”
Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck): “Final stage in Brussels has great Champs-Elysées appeal”
“I think there are three flat stages: Scherpenheuvel, Knokke and Brussels. Those are three stages that should suit me, and I want to go all-in for those. The final stage to Brussels with finish under the Atomium has a great Champs-Elysées appeal. If I have to choose one, I would love to win that stage. Am I also aiming for the final classification? Mathieu (van der Poel) has worked hard on his time trial, so he will be our man for the GC. He also stands a better chance in the Ardennes stage than I do. I mainly want to get our sprint train for the Tour de France perfectly on track this week.”
Florian Vermeersch (Lotto Dstny): “I really wanted to come back here”
“It’s the second time I’m riding the Baloise Belgium Tour and I really wanted to come back here. A stage race in your home country doesn’t happen that often. I’m not starting without ambition. The stage to Durbuy should suit me. But we are definitely here for Caleb (Ewan) as well. This is a good test for us before the mass sprints in the Tour de France.”
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Caleb Ewan (Lotto Dstny): “I’m looking forward to this week in Belgium”
“The team presentation already drew huge crowds. I’m looking forward to this week in Belgium! On paper, there are two sure sprint opportunities this week, maybe a third. Those are good prospects to work towards with the team in preparation for the Tour de France.”
Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck): “I am starting with ambition”
“Of course, I start here with ambition. Together with Jasper (Philipsen), who is also in good shape and should also be able to go for the general classification, I think.”
Yves Lampaert (Soudal-Quick Step): “Tough courses”
“The koerskes (the stages) are promising to be tough. Thursday will definitely be a mass sprint, but I can’t predict which way it will go on the other days.”
