We were expecting him next Monday at the start of Tirreno-Adriatico, but Mathieu Van der Poel has decided to surprise everyone and will make his seasonal debut tomorrow at Le Samyn. Alpecin Deceuninck has officially confirmed the rumor previously anticipated by Wieleflist: "When you feel the urge to race... you must follow it!" MVDP shared on the team's social channels.

Tomorrow, Van der Poel will be at the start on the Belgian roads before flying to Italy to tackle Tirreno-Adriatico and Milan-San Remo, followed by E3 Saxo Classic, Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, while a decision has not yet been made regarding Brabantse Pijl and Amstel Gold Race.

The champion's presence at Strade Bianche has been categorically excluded: the team's general manager Christoph Roodhooft was crystal clear in his words to Het Nieuwsblad, saying that this is a possibility "out of the question".