Just three days before Milan-San Remo, which he won in 2024 after extraordinary work as a lead-out man by Van der Poel against Pogacar, Jasper Philipsen secured his first seasonal victory at the 80th Nokere Koerse, a semi-classic held in East Flanders: starting from Deinze and finishing in Nokere, 184 kilometers featuring a mix of 7 climbs and 15 cobblestone sectors.

The Alpecin-Premier Tech rider, a close friend of Tadej Pogacar and teammate of Mathieu van der Poel, shut down Alec Segaert's hopes in the final hundred meters after the Belgian had gained an advantage late on, and decisively beat fellow countryman Jordi Meeus (Red Bull) and Colombian Juan Sebastian Molano (UAE Emirates). Best Italian was Alberto Dainese in 18th place.

«This is my first victory of the year and it's very important for my confidence – explains Philipsen, 28 years old, who had crashed in the sprint on the final stage of Tirreno-Adriatico in San Benedetto del Tronto - Above all, it's important for San Remo. I had to wait a while; so far the season hasn't gone exactly as planned, or who knows, I just didn't have the right sensations yet. I hope this is the first of many victories to come. I don't feel at my peak yet, but the form will come».

Philipsen considers this race the right preparation for the spring Classicissima, especially since he had also raced at Nokere in 2024: third in the sprint behind Merlier and Jakobsen, and then he had won in a sprint on Via Roma. Around his legs is his poodle Lulu, who greets him enthusiastically: «Yes, he's always very enthusiastic, whether I win or lose doesn't really matter much to him. In the finale against Segaert there was a difficult situation; I had already used up my legs recovering after changing my shoe (the left one, silver-colored, and the other white, editor's note). Today I tried to win more cautiously».

The mid-race shoe change, a complex situation that the Belgian managed perfectly, even when the heel wasn't sitting properly in the shoe. «I almost crashed; I had to use the quick-release pedal to the maximum to avoid falling and the shoe broke, so I had to change it. Two shoes of different colors, but it worked. Maybe I should do it again, maybe it will bring me luck».

Meanwhile, Milan-San Remo is just days away and all the work done to prepare for this appointment will soon bear fruit. Winning at San Remo, on the iconic Via Roma finish line, is a dream for everyone; only a few manage it. Philipsen will once again have a dual role: standing by Mathieu van der Poel's side and, if the opportunity arises, trying to win his second Milan-San Remo.