Wout van Aert rocked up to the Milan-San Remo team presentation with a fresh haircut, another sign that he is ready to race.
"I visited a hairdresser this afternoon. I needed a Milan-San Remo makeover," van Aert joked before talking race race tactics.
"I had a different preparation than I expected but I think it's good enough," Van Aert said.
"I had a good Tirreno-Adriatico and feel ready for Milan-San Remo," he said before heading to his hotel for a final meal of carbs for the near seven-hour, 300km race on Saturday.
"It's always scary to ride for 300km but it's a super nice Classic and one of my favourites. I hope to be very good and then maybe gain another percentage point of form for the next races. But I'm good enough to win Milan-San Remo."
Van Aert chased after Tadej Pogačar numerous times on the Poggio last year, perhaps damaging his own chances. He expects a different race this year that could see attacks as early as the Cipressa from Pogačar but also classic moves on the Poggio and perhaps a chance for the best sprinters.
"I think Pogačar will race differently this time," Van Aert warned. "I also expect a strong Julian Alaphilippe. He may be a bit underestimated now, but he knows how to perfectly time an attack on the Poggio.
"I'm also aware that Jasper Philipsen could be a threat. I see him getting over the Poggio, too."
