This is what the favorites said before the start of the Scheldeprijs, early retirement by Gerben Thijssen

Traditionally, the Scheldeprijs is held there between the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. The Wednesday in between the High Mass and the Hell of the North is known as a real sprinter’s race, with a well-known final at the local round in Schoten, Antwerp. Just before the start in Terneuzen, Netherlands, the favorites expressed their expectations. CyclingFlits list the most interesting statements.

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Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck): “It is a great race that I would like to win, but it will be a tough race given the weather conditions. I was happy that I could follow the Tour quietly from my seat. It’s always a shame to skip it, but I think only one man was capable of winning. With my goals, this was the right decision.” (The last news)

Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step): “The legs feel better after the Tour, I hope that is also the case during the race. The fans will be there, but the question is whether the groups will return. But I do like driving fans. I have no feelings of revenge, I just hope to fight a nice duel. If that is with Jasper or another sprinter. We want to take control of the course and then we will see what happens.” (The last news)

Dylan Groenewegen (Jayco AlUla): “As a sprinter you just want to win more, and then you want to win more than once. Based on this year, I will not place myself higher in the sprint against Philipsen and Merlier. I have to be honest about that, but I do know that it is there.” (The newspapaer)

After an early crash, Gerben Thijssen had to give up, causing Intermarché-Wanty to lose the leader at 185 kilometers from the finish in the Scheldeprijs. Beforehand, Thijssen said the following:

Gerben Thijssen (Intermarché-Wanty): “I’m ready for today. It will be the same edition as when Alexander Kristoff won here (solo, ed.). It will depend on the situation who is with us, or whether everyone will return. It’s going to be a nervous race with certainly fans. If I beat those men, I will be among the top sprinters. But a podium would really be nice, we’re going for that. I have to be involved and then I will look at the sprint.” (HLN)