ProTeam Sports director Nikolas Maes looks ahead to Milano-Sanremo: “With the current weather conditions, I expect a fast race.”

On Saturday, Lotto Cycling Team heads to Milano-Sanremo with Berckmoes, Beullens, Drizners, Giddings, Grignard, Livyns and Veistroffer. Sports director Nikolas Maes expects weather conditions to strongly mark the race. “From the coastline, they are currently predicting mainly tailwinds. They also predict rain, which will make the race extra hard. I expect a fast race with the current weather conditions", he looks ahead.

At Milan-Sanremo, two riders will also make their long-awaited return. Jenno Berckmoes can finally start his season. “I am very happy to be back. It wasn't easy weeks. I am ready to finally make my return in Milano-Sanremo and hopefully I can ride a good result immediately. The main thing for me is that I can race again,’ he says. Nikolas Maes is confident about Jenno's good form. “I expect Jenno to ride a good race on his reappearance”, he says. He also sees a role for Arjen Livyns: “I do see a role for Arjen to ride deep into the final and support Jenno to get a good result.”

Joshua Giddings will also finally start his season at Milano-Sanremo. “I have been counting down the days until the first races. Despite a great training block, I live for the racing and there is no better place to start again than in Milano-Sanremo, a race I grew up watching on TV”, he looks ahead enthusiastically. Giddings will have more of a supporting role to play during the race, to ensure Jenno gets to the final as fresh as possible. 

Picture: Brecht Steenhouwer