Tour of Flanders pre-race quotes - Van Aert, Van der Poel, Pogacar, Kopecky, and more

Flanders
The big-name favourites of the 2023 Tour of Flanders (Image credit: Getty Images)

The Tour of Flanders is upon us. The build-up races are done and dusted, recon rides  have been ticked off and final team lineups have been confirmed. All that remains is the anticipation for the Holy Sunday. 

Part of the pre-race shuffle are the final press conferences, a chance for the media to quiz the riders on their hopes and fears and so fill the internet, radio, television and newspapers with the riders' hopes and fears for Sunday.

Patrick Fletcher

Patrick is a freelance sports writer and editor. He’s an NCTJ-accredited journalist with a bachelor’s degree in modern languages (French and Spanish). Patrick worked full-time at Cyclingnews for eight years between 2015 and 2023, latterly as Deputy Editor.

Read more
Tom Pidcock and Demi Vollering
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad contenders 2025
The peloton tackles the gravel hills of the 2023 Strade Bianche – this year the roads should be dry, dusty, and fast
'The gravel is a lot looser than usual' – Riders prepare for a fast, dusty and furious Strade Bianche
KUURNE BELGIUM MARCH 02 Jasper Philipsen of Belgium and Team AlpecinDeceuninck celebrates at finish line as race winner during the 77th Kuurne Bruxelles Kuurne 2025 a 1969km one day race from Kortrijk to Kuurne on March 02 2025 in Kuurne Belgium Photo by Luc ClaessenGetty Images
Who will win Gent-Wevelgem 2025? Analysing the favourites
SIENA, ITALY - MARCH 04: (L-R) Lotte Kopecky of Belgium on second place and the race winner Demi Vollering of The Netherlands and Team SD Worx cross the finish line during the Eroica - 9th Strade Bianche 2023, Women's a 136km one day race from Siena to Siena 318m / #StradeBianche / on March 04, 2023 in Siena, Italy. (Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images)
Strade Bianche 2025 - Analysing the contenders
Slovenian Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates pictured in action during the men's elite race of the 'Strade Bianche' one day cycling race (215km) from and to Siena, Italy, Saturday 02 March 2024. BELGA PHOTO BERT GOYVAERTS (Photo by BERT GOYVAERTS / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP)
'I love the Classics, they're pure adrenaline' – Tadej Pogačar kicks off spring campaign aiming for Strade Bianche treble
SANREMO ITALY MARCH 16 LR Michael Matthews of Australia and Team Jayco AlUla on second place race winner Jasper Philipsen of Belgium and Team Alpecin Deceuninck and Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates on third place pose on the podium ceremony after the 115th MilanoSanremo 2024 a 288km one day race from Pavia to Sanremo UCIWT on March 16 2024 in Sanremo Italy Photo by Dario BelingheriGetty Images
Milan-San Remo 2025 men's contenders – Pogačar and Van der Poel centre stage but spotlight could quickly swing
Latest in Women's cycling
ARSCHOT BELGIUM MARCH 02 Tiffany Cromwell of Australia and Team CANYONSRAM signing prior to the 17th Fenix Omloop van het Hageland 2025 a 1356km one day race from Aarschot to TieltWinge on March 02 2025 in Aarschot Belgium Photo by Rhode Van ElsenGetty Images
Surgery for Tiffany Cromwell after first fractures of career at Milan-San Remo
Joe Laverick and Chris Mehlman battled at the front of the race, with Laverick pushing away in the final five miles
Joe Laverick, Lauren Stephens take back-to-back wins at Rattlesnake Gravel Grind
DE PANNE BELGIUM MARCH 21 Elisa Balsamo of Italy and Team Lidl Trek celebrates at finish line as race winner ahead of LR Chiara Consonni of Italy and UAE Team ADQ Daria Pikulik of Poland and Team Human Powered Health and Charlotte Kool of The Netherlands and Team dsmfirmenich PostNL during the 7th Womens Classic BruggeDe Panne 2024 a 155km one day race from Brugge to De Panne on March 21 2024 in De Panne Belgium Photo by Luc ClaessenGetty Images
How to watch the Classic Brugge-De Panne 2025 – Live streams, TV coverage
Anna Yamauchi rides to pro women's victory at 2025 Lake Sonoma MTB
Anna Yamauchi tops Katerina Nash in 'slide it to ride it' slippery edition of Lake Sonoma MTB
OUDENAARDE BELGIUM MARCH 31 LR Demi Vollering of The Netherlands and Lotte Kopecky of Belgium and Team SD Worx Protime compete passing through the Koppenberg cobblestones sector during the 21st Ronde van Vlaanderen Tour des Flandres 2024 Womens Elite a 163km one day race from Oudenaarde to Oudenaarde UCIWWT on March 31 2024 in Oudenaarde Belgium Photo by Rafa Gomez PoolGetty Images
Tour of Flanders Women 2025 route
Jasper Philipsen and Lorena Wiebes are among the Gent-Wevelgem 2025 favourites
Who will win Gent-Wevelgem 2025? Analysing the favourites
Latest in News
WALLERS FRANCE JULY 06 Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates white best young jersey competes passing through a cobblestones sector during to the 109th Tour de France 2022 Stage 5 a 157km stage from Lille to WallersArenberg TDF2022 WorldTour on July 06 2022 in Wallers France Photo by Bernard Papon PoolGetty Images
'He has the engine' - Geraint Thomas has no doubts Tadej Pogačar can conquer 2025 Paris-Roubaix despite lack of experience
SANREMO ITALY MARCH 22 Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and Team UAE Team Emirates competes during the 116th MilanoSanremo 2025 a 289km one day race from Pavia to Sanremo UCIWT on March 22 2025 in Sanremo Italy Photo by Dario BelingheriGetty Images
'When he starts somewhere, it is to try to win' – Why Tadej Pogačar can win Paris-Roubaix
Wout Van Aert wears an aero helmet during a road stage of the Volta ao Algarve
'A tried and tested recipe' – Wout Van Aert hopes altitude training can give him the edge on return to racing at E3 Saxo Classic
The Hiplok Z Lok Combo bike lock on a worktop
Keep the bike thieves at bay with one of the best lightweight bike locks – the Hiplok Z Lok Combo has 40% off in this Amazon Big Spring Sale deal
DE PANNE BELGIUM MARCH 26 Jonathan Milan of Italy and Team LidlTrek on second place poses on the podium ceremony after the 49th Classic BruggeDe Panne 2025 Mens Elite a 1956km one day race from Brugge to De Panne UCIWT on March 26 2025 in De Panne Belgium Photo by Luc ClaessenGetty Images
Yellow cards for Milan, Kristoff and Schwarzmann at crash-hit Classic Brugge-De Panne
Belgian Piet Allegaert of Cofidis and Belgian Milan Fretin of Cofidis pictured after a fall during the 'Classic Brugge-De Panne' men's elite one-day cycling race, 195,6 km from Brugge to De Panne, Wednesday 26 March 2025.
BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM (Photo by DIRK WAEM / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP)
Classic Brugge-De Panne medical updates – Stitches for Tim Merlier, collapsed lung and broken ribs for Lionel Taminiaux