Florian, how did you experience Philipsen’s victory in Wevelgem on Sunday?
It was very emotional. There was some stress at the start, as we were expected to perform. We controlled the race, no one was really helping us. Then we made a move at the front. After that, the plan was perfect with Mathieu van der Poel in the lead. My role was to protect Jasper Philipsen as much as possible and set him up for the sprint.
He was a favorite in the small group, but it’s never won in advance…
On paper, we thought he had a chance. Especially in this reduced group. But it wasn’t easy, it was tight, there was a lot of contact. We almost got boxed in, rubbing shoulders with the barriers and the CMA CGM Decathlon riders who were closing the door on us without really closing it. I think I managed that moment well, Jasper was well protected in my slipstream and that of Decathlon. I was able to stay in position without taking too many risks while leaving space for my leader when he made his move. I was really happy for him, for the team. And for me, too, to have proven myself… It boosts my confidence for the future.
How do you feel in this team? You arrived quite late…
My transfer to Alpecin-Premier Tech was indeed announced quite late, but I had already signed in August. So I didn’t experience the stress of leaving my old team, Arkea-B & Hôtels. I integrated very well into my new structure. It is very well organized. The management is direct enough and everything is clear in terms of training plans, logistics. Training may be physically demanding, but mentally everything is quite simple. The staff takes care of performance research and we trust the coaches, mechanics, managers. Everything is really analyzed. It’s part of the evolution of cycling, but it’s still more detailed than anything I’ve experienced in my career so far.
Philipsen may be a hot head on the bike, but he’s also a really funny guy.
Do you have an example?
For example, we have apps for monitoring our nutrition, sleep, and training. This constant monitoring can bring some pressure. Everything you do is analyzed. But exactly a week ago, my coach said: with the evolution of your data, I see that you will be fine. And he was right. This coach, who is the same as Jonas Geens, had the same conversation with him. And he was at the front with us on Sunday.
What is your relationship with Philipsen and van der Poel?
I get along very well with Jasper. We spent a good part of the winter together. We had a lot of fun. On the bike, he’s a hothead. He’ll be the last to brake, he’s a true sprinter! You wouldn’t think that from the outside, but he’s really funny, he talks a lot at the table. I had less contact with Mathieu because we didn’t ride together much, I only did two races with him. But he’s talent, class, simply…
Mathieu combines strength and flexibility, which is why he doesn’t puncture often.
His technical feat with the avoided crash at Molenberg, at Nieuwsblad, is still often the topic of discussion. How did you experience it internally?
We talked about it quite a bit among ourselves, yes. Wondering what we would have done, if we would have tried to avoid Pluimers with the risk of falling or if we would have tried to save ourselves by hitting him… With Mathieu, the question didn’t arise: he managed to avoid it without falling. This agility, it takes work, but he has incredible technical talent… He combines strength and flexibility, which is why he doesn’t puncture often. He loves cycling, he enjoys it. But I can tell you he also works tremendously!
Arnaud De Lie, 4th in Middelkerke-Wevelgem, chased away the demons of the past: “In the last two years, I jumped into the Moeren like an amateur…
