5 conclusions from Gent-Wevelgem š§šŖ
Lund Andresen is thriving in Kooijās absence, analysing performances from Van der Poel vs Van Aert, and Ineos, Segaert, and Philipsen
Hey Subscribers,
Gent-Wevelgem rarely leaves us short of storylines, but this yearās edition felt particularly revealing.
Beyond the headline victory for Jasper Philipsen, the race offered a deeper look into shifting hierarchies within teams, the emergence of new contenders, and the subtle tactical dynamics that could shape the remainder of the cobbled Classics.
From Tobias Lund Andresenās continued rise in the absence of Olav Kooij to the tentative sparring between Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert, the race felt as much like a preview of key contendersā form ahead of the expected challenge of Tadej PogaÄar
With the Slovenian still to enter the fray and several teams searching for cohesion at a critical moment in the season, the 2026 edition of Gent-Wevelgem may ultimately be remembered less for its result and more for the clues it provided. Here are five conclusions that stood out.
Daniel š«¶
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The transfer that almost went unnoticed š
Last year, when we announced on Substack that Olav Kooij would be joining Decathlon on a long-term contract, the consensus was that the Dutch rider would be the teamās leading sprinter for the 2026 season and the centrepiece around which the Tour team would be built. That might indeed turn out to be the case; one cannot forget how good Kooij is when fit and healthy. However, the transfer certainly overshadowed Tobias Lund Andresenās move to the team.
The truth is that Lund Andresen was signed well before Kooij. That didnāt necessarily reflect priority - transfers happen at different times for a variety of reasons - but it underlined how keen Decathlon were when his deal was finalised in the first few months of the year.
When Kooij was confirmed a few months later, it was assumed that the Dutch rider would have the pick of the races, but while the former Visma rider remains on the sidelines, Lund Andresen has been one of the seasonās revelations.
He had already won three WorldTour races before todayās Gent-Wevelgem, but his growing stature as a Classics rider has helped fill the void left by Kooijās absence. Coming second to Jasper Philipsen, while Lund Andresen described it as ābittersweetā, was another reminder of how precise and successful Decathlon were in the transfer market. Whether they ultimately landed Kooij or not, they knew they needed more than just an upgrade on Sam Bennett and signing two sprinters with Classics potential was a brave but successful call.
āSecond in a Classic isnāt something that comes for free, and if you told me before the race that I would finish on the podium, I would probably take it, but itās bittersweet when you feel like youāre so close to the win. Itās my first time on the podium in a Classic, and Iām really happy with it,ā Lund Andresen said at the finish.
In the media zone at the finish, I asked Lund Andresen whether he could put his progression since leaving Picnic PostNL down to just one feature or if there were numerous elements at play.
āItās a good question, and Iāve had that a lot this season. There are a lot of small things. One thing is the bike, thatās not a small thing, the bike is so fast with all the equipment, and the wheels are on point. My teammates are unbelievable, and theyāve shown that today, and the management is really clear about their ambition. I know what I need to do to improve, and from the management, you get a lot of motivation,ā he told me.
āItās never easy to make such a big decision in your career,ā he said of his transfer.
āIām really happy with my decision, but if you change jobs, itās never an easy choice. I was really happy in my old team too, but at the moment Iām in love with my team,ā he added.
Itās one thing to identify talent, but the rate at which Lund Andresen has progressed in the last few months has been nothing short of incredible. Perhaps only Dorian Godon could rival him as the transfer of the season so far on the menās side, and I asked Lund Andresen whether he had exceeded his own expectations.
āTo be fair to the team, when we started talking last year, they said that they wanted me to get top tens in the Classics. I was a bit on the fence at that time, but they saw the potential in me, and they saw what I could change in training, and my potential, but talking about it and doing it are big differences. I think that I can say that Iāve overperformed,ā he said.
Of course, we canāt ignore that Kooij hasnāt raced all year, and that his absence has created more space. But Lund Andresen hasnāt just used these months to gain experience or pick up placings - heās become one of the most reliable and powerful sprinters in the WorldTour, and when Decathlon put their team to work - both here and in E3 Saxo Classic - the Dane was there in the finales to compete with the best.
āBy default, maybe itās more pressure, but Iāve never felt that from the team; itās been more of an opportunity to see what I could do. If I get an opportunity, Iāll do everything that I can to take it, and Iām really sad for Olav that he canāt be here with the team, but heās also supporting us from the sidelines,ā he said.
Kooij will return and, without doubt, win consistently, but in Lund Andresen and his newfound form, Decathlon have a rider in the best shape of his life, and improving with each race. Decathlon may have signed Kooij for the present, but right now, Lund Andresen is already delivering.