Tadej Pogacar, Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel 'at an exceptional level', says Julian Alaphilippe

Julian Alaphilippe says «self-pity isn't any use» as he — and his team — look to make some indents on cycling's biggest names during the Classics season. Alaphilippe followed a disappointing 43rd at Strade Bianche with an 11th-placed finish at Milan-San Remo and then abandoned the E3 Saxo Classic with illness.

Ad His troubles illustrate his team’s current predicament at the spring classics, with the mantle seemingly being passed to the omnipotent Jumbo-Visma. Gent — Wevelgem'Belgium should pay more attention to its stars' — Zeeman slams critics of Van Aert and LaporteYESTERDAY AT 15:26 Their dominance was confirmed when Wout van Aert allowed team-mate Christophe Laporte to take victory at Gent-Wevelgem, with the pair holding a near two-minute advantage over the chasing pack into Wevelgem.

“We’re trying to stay calm,” Alaphilippe told L’Equipe. “It’s normal that we’re disappointed in QuickStep because everybody’s so deeply invested in this period, including the staff.

“Lots of our riders have really prepared for this segment of the season, and when you see that some of our rivals are dominating like that, of course, it’s disappointing. “But we have to keep calm, be patient, keep on doing what we’ve always done.

Self-pity isn’t any use. And in fact, I find these situations can make me feel even more motivated.” Tour of Flanders 2023: Fred Wright and his quest to prove he belongs at the front Annemiek van Vleuten on why her driving force has never been winning Merijn Zeeman slams critics of Wout van Aert and Christophe Laporte Alaphilippe, criticised by his team boss Patrick Lefevere during the close season for his failings last term, opened his Classics campaign with victory at Faun-Ardeche in February but his form has