Jasper Philipsen reveals spring race lineup

Top sprinter and Classics specialist Jasper Philipsen has a busy spring planned. The former Milan-San Remo winner will start his season at the "opening weekend" (February 28 and March 1) of Omloop Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne before turning his attention to La Primavera (March 23), where he and Alpecin-Premier Tech teammate Mathieu van der Poel could form a formidable tandem – if Van der Poel opts to defend his title. From there, Philipsen will target flatter cobbled Classics like In Flanders Fields (formerly Gent-Wevelgem) in the leadup to Paris-Roubaix (April 12). As with M-SR, he'll form half of the best tandem in the race along with three-time winner Van der Poel; Philipsen has twice been runner-up there. After Roubaix, it's a long break until his next "confirmed" race, July's Tour de France.