'I won’t have the best legs' – UAE Team Emirates-XRG have Tim Wellens back from broken collarbone just in time for the Ardennes Classics

Tim Wellens, the Belgian champion for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, is set to make his return to competition at Friday's De Brabantse Pijl. This marks his first appearance since a fractured collarbone sustained in a crash at Strade Bianche on March 2nd. Wellens, who openly stated he "won't have the best legs," is aiming to regain form just in time for the upcoming Ardennes Classics, particularly the Amstel Gold Race, La Flèche Wallonne, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

Wellens' rapid return is significant given his crucial role as a domestique deluxe for Tadej Pogačar, especially in the Ardennes where Pogačar is a strong favourite. His absence was keenly felt in the early spring, and his presence will bolster UAE's formidable lineup. The timing is tight, however, with De Brabantse Pijl serving as a critical, albeit perhaps insufficient, stepping stone for a rider of his calibre to reach peak condition for the demanding Ardennes terrain.

While Wellens' honesty about his current form is refreshing, one suspects UAE's strategic gamble is less about individual glory and more about ensuring Pogačar has his most trusted lieutenant by his side when it truly matters.