'Starting with Tadej means we always race for the win' – Omloop Het Nieuwsblad podium finisher Florian Vermeersch predicts usual Pogačar fireworks on Saturday

Florian Vermeersch of Lotto Dstny secured a notable third-place finish at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, marking a strong start to his cobbled classics campaign. The Belgian rider, a former Paris-Roubaix runner-up, expressed confidence ahead of Saturday’s Strade Bianche, predicting the usual fireworks from Tadej Pogačar, his former U23 teammate. Vermeersch’s podium spot signals good form and a morale boost for the remainder of the spring.

This performance is particularly significant for Vermeersch, who has been steadily building his classics credentials since his breakthrough second at Roubaix in 2021. For Lotto Dstny, it's a vital early-season result, demonstrating their continued relevance in the cobbled races amidst a landscape dominated by WorldTour giants. His prediction regarding Pogačar for Strade Bianche also highlights the pervasive influence the Slovenian superstar now wields over race narratives, even from competitors.

Vermeersch's podium is a welcome sight, reminding us that while Pogačar often dictates the script, the supporting cast still has plenty to say – or at least, plenty of grit to display.