Belgian Classics champion Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) has given compatriot Remco Evenepoel's unexpected decision to take part in the Tour of Flanders for the first time this Sunday a resounding vote of approval.
Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) has raced Belgium's other Monument, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, three times and won it twice, including on his debut in 2022. However, he has never taken part in the De Ronde and, after signing with Red Bull over the winter, his team plans seemingly were to defer it for the years to come.
