ProTeam Jarno Widar and Kurt Van de Wouwer look ahead to Il Lombardia
After claiming his first professional victory at Tre Valli Varesine, Jarno Widar will line up for his first Monument on Saturday: Il Lombardia. The 20-year-old Belgian from Lotto-Intermarché heads into the final major race of the season with confidence, while remaining realistic about his chances. Together with sports manager Kurt Van de Wouwer, he looks ahead to the Race of the Falling Leaves.
On Tuesday, Widar secured his first professional victory at Tre Valli Varesine. After a difficult start to the season, during which illness and setbacks repeatedly held him back, the young puncheur has finally enjoyed nine uninterrupted weeks of training and racing. His strong Vuelta and victory in Italy give him confidence heading into the final part of the season.
“Becoming a professional rider has always been my childhood dream. Winning a race as a professional is another level altogether. But once the day is over, you look ahead. Life doesn't go backwards; you don't stand still. It has happened, and you move on,” says Widar, who is not getting carried away by the attention following his victory.
Kurt Van de Wouwer was also delighted by the way his rider claimed his first professional win. “I was watching the race at the service course and I didn't know I could still jump that high. It wasn't just the victory, but especially the way he won. That made it fantastic.”
The Civiglio as the decisive climb
Il Lombardia presents a very different challenge on Saturday. With 239 kilometres and around 4,600 metres of climbing, it promises to be a demanding race, with the succession of climbs likely to make the difference. Widar expects the teams of the favourites to control the race deep into the finale.
“The penultimate climb, the Civiglio, will be the biggest challenge. It's an effort of ten to twelve minutes, which might be four or five minutes too long for me. Liège-Bastogne-Liège and La Flèche Wallonne might suit me better in terms of the efforts required. La Redoute and Roche-aux-Faucons are climbs where you can rely more on shorter bursts of power.”
Van de Wouwer does not necessarily see the length of the climbs as an obstacle. “In Switzerland, Jarno already showed on the final climb that he can handle a longer effort. We have no doubts about his talent. If he can't fight for the victory on Saturday, perhaps that moment will come next year. But it will definitely come.”
Confidence heading into the finale
After his strong sprint at Tre Valli Varesine, Widar knows he has an important weapon at his disposal if he finds himself in a select group. Should he reach the finish in Lombardy alongside the best riders, he will above all want to trust his own abilities.
“I have the confidence I need to finish off a race like this. I know what I have to do in the final kilometre to win a race. I don't want to start panicking or making the wrong decisions. I would simply approach it with confidence,” Widar concludes.
Photo: @cyclingmedia_agency
