When world champion Gilbert (BMC) tried to escape on the descent of the Cipressa in today’s Milan-San Remo, Lotto Belisol’s Jürgen Roelandts saw an opportunity and tried to take it. The offensive didn’t pay off, however.

“I am a bit disappointed after today, but that’s cycling. I took my chance too early, together with Gilbert. That’s why I missed out on the Poggio. After the Cipressa I wanted to be in front in the descent. We got away with a group of ten and three riders took off. Gilbert and I tried to close the gap, but that was the wrong choice. There were many motorcycles in front of the three leaders and we had headwind, so we kept riding fifty meters behind them. Then it was wise to wait, but it had cost us some power.”

On the slippery slope of the Poggio, Roelandts was one of the riders who crashed. The harm was not too serious, though, and Roelandts remains confident when looking ahead to the forthcoming classics.

“I reached the top of the Poggio at about fifteenth position thinking I had good legs. The fact that I crashed at four km before the finish makes the disappointment still bigger. My knee was hit, but I don’t think there will be any consequences. The neutralization was a wise decision; everyone was shivering on their bike because it was snowing. For me they might have done it earlier. If I have to say something positive about today, I can say I am ready for the classics.”