From Sunday, the riders will travel from Paris to Nice. One of them is Tim Wellens and he goes to the race with ambitions. "It's my first goal of the season," the talent from Lotto Soudal told Sporza.

This year Paris-Nice is loaded with big names like Tejay van Garderen, Bradley Wiggins, Rui Costa, Andrew Talansky, Michal Kwiatkowski, Wilco Kelderman, Richie Porte, Andrew Talansky, Fabio Aru and Rafal Majka.

Among all those stars, last year's Eneco Tour winner Tim Wellens hopes to do well. "Currently, I am pretty good although I have had problems with my back after my crash at the Ruta del Sol," he told Sporza.

"On Wednesday I had a hard workout in the Ardennes and then the pain re-emerged. If I'm really going full gas, it hurts so that worries me.

"But I think I am ready for Paris-Nice. I've done everything. I have trained well and have looked well after myself. It is the first goal of my season,so I hope I will be there.

"The course is harder than last year. That was better for me. Thursday is the first uphill finish and then I will know if a good GC result is possible. Top 10 would be nice. Otherwise I will go for a stage win."

Tim Wellens is labeled as one of the greatest talents in Belgium. "I am honored that people see me as a big talent but I know that the road is long.

"Currently I'm not ready. Maybe I will never be ready for it. Time will tell.

"The expectations are also rising. There is so much pressure, that takes some mental energy. It makes me a little nervous. On the other hand it keeps me sharp. That's good."

The second goal of the season are the Walloon classics. "That is the most important period of the year. You have three chances to show you in a short time so I hope I will be good.

"Personally I like Liège-Bastogne-Liège more than Fleche Wallonne. This race is mythical, bigger and harder. It is impressive."

After the spring, Tim Wellens will prepare for his first Tour de France. "Last week I did the Mur de Huy and I thought 'The Tour will soon pass here.' So I am already thinking about it.

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"In any case, I have marked that stage with red in my calendar. I have seen the course a bit but I have not checked it in its entirety."