Analysis of Oliver Naesen’s cautionary stance on Remco Evenepoel’s chances in Milan-Sanremo, Tour of Flanders, and Paris-Roubaix. We break down Naesen’s reasoning about risk vs. reward, the technical realities of cobbled classics, and how Evenepoel could balance ambition with long-term goals like the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, and Ardennes campaigns. Includes key moments from Naesen’s interview and context on strategies for modern classics, with implications for Evenepoel’s 2025 season planning.
Cycling spring classics are no walk in the park, they’re brutal, highstakes races where even the smallest mistake can cost you everything. But here’s where it gets controversial. Should rising star Remco if dare to take on the infamous hell of the north or San Remo. Fellow Belgian pro Oliver Nisan doesn’t think so, and his warning is hard to ignore. He’ll probably crash in Rubik’s, Nzan bluntly stated, urging to think twice before diving into these treacherous races. But why all the caution? Let’s break it down. The spring classics are a battleground where riders spend hours fighting for position, and even the most seasoned cyclists can find themselves on the ground. Nan, a veteran of these races, knows this all too well. I’m a risk averse rider and more than half of my worst crashes happened in Paris through bakes, he revealed in an interview with H Newsblad. While Iopole is undeniably strong, Nisan believes his technical skills might not be enough to navigate the chaos of Rubik’s. And this is the part most people miss. Even the slightest miscalculation in these races can derail an entire season. Nisan’s own career is a testament to the unpredictability of these events. Despite his impressive record of finishing all 27 monuments he started, he’s crashed countless times, sometimes in the most unexpected moments. Take the 2017 tour of Fllanders for instance where he and Peter Sean collided on the out quayment after their bikes got tangled in jackets thrown by spectators. It’s a stark reminder that in these races anything can happen. But Nan’s concerns go beyond just safety. He questions whether should risk his larger goals like winning the gyro deitalia or tour to France for the sake of spring classics glory. San Remo is so hard to win. Nisan pointed out noting that even Tadage Pogar with his flawless tactics hasn’t managed to conquer it yet. While Avenol is a phenomenal rider, Nisan argues that the short climbs in San Remo don’t play to his strengths. So if I were to pick just one spring classic, which should it be? Nan suggests the tour of Flanders. There you can make a difference much earlier purely on power, he explained. Unlike San Remo, Fllanders allows riders to assert dominance earlier in the race, relying more on physical strength and tactical finesse. But even this choice comes with a caveat. If’s participation should hinge on Pogar’s plans for the Aden’s classics. If Pogar is racing leege, Ienipopol would need top tier preparation, which might rule out Flanders altogether. Here’s the real question. Should I skip the gyro deitalia and focus on the tour to France instead? Nan thinks so, arguing that the gyro’s notoriously bad weather and high expectations could weigh heavily on Avenole. In Belgium, every race rides and doesn’t win is seen as a failure, he noted. That’s a lot of pressure, especially when riders like Pogar seem to thrive under it. So, what do you think? Is Nison’s advice spot on, or should I take the risk and chase Spring Classics glory? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments. This debate is far from over.