After the loss of Jens Debusschere to injury, Lotto-Soudal still keeps two irons in the fire for the Tour of Flanders. Both Tiesj Benoot as Jürgen Roelandts look confidently forward to Flanders' Most Beautiful Race. "The peak is still missing, maybe on Sunday it comes," says Benoot.

Benoot last year surprised friends and foes with an excellent fifth place in his debut Ronde. This year, the 22-year-old rider starts with more pressure on the shoulders.

"The expectations and pressure are very large this spring, so nothing changes. I have so far in every race I’ve done made the final. Some good results have been achieved as well, but the win is still missing. Maybe Sunday it’s possible, "says Benoot to Sporza.

However, he remains modest. “I can win, but it is very difficult. There are three riders who are really above me and for that luck will be needed to beat them. But behind it is very much possible and in a race of almost 260km you never know. "

"In a race it is very difficult to win if you're not the best. The decision always comes on a climb or a cobbled sector. You have to have some luck at the right time."

Lotto-Soudal will have to make do without Jens Debusschere after his crash in Gent-Wevelgem. “That will not change much. We now start with two protected riders instead of three, which is one more in service of me and Jurgen. It is particularly regrettable that Jens is not there in the final. I'd like to do better than last year, but this is very difficult. I hope I am back in the final and we'll see how silly or how smart I ride.”