
Following criticism from Belgian fans and media, Matteo Jorgenson has come to his Visma-Lease a Bike Classics co-leader Wout van Aert's defence ahead of the pair's final test before the Tour of Flanders at Dwars door Vlaanderen on Wednesday.
After finishing a disappointing 15th at the E3 Saxo Classic last Friday, which saw Van Aert's long-term rival Mathieu van der Poel ride solo to victory, the Belgian has all but been ruled out of the running for the Flandrien Monument on Sunday.