Arrigo Sacchi once called soccer "the most important of the least important things," but Wout Van Art (Jumbo-Visma), after his solo victory in Saturday's Omloop Het Niusbrod, solidarity with the Ukrainian people as Russia invades Ukraine He expressed.

After crossing the finish line in Ninove, Van Aert gave a flash interview to Sporza about his remarkable solo victory, but before leaving, he recognized the relative insignificance of bicycle racing when war is being waged elsewhere on the continent.

"The other thing I want to say is that bicycle racing is the most important side issue in the world.

"That war is still possible today, and so close at hand, is nothing short of insanity. At any rate, I want to express my support for all those involved in Ukraine."

The UCI condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine in a statement on Friday, but it is unclear what action the governing body will take regarding the Gazprom Rusvelo Pro Continental team, sponsored by Russia's state energy company Gazprom. Russian businessman Igor Makolov, founder of the Itera energy corporation, is a member of the UCI governing board.

In soccer, UEFA has moved this season's Champions League final from St. Petersburg to Paris, Poland and Sweden have announced they will not play Russia in next month's World Cup playoffs, and in Formula 1, this year's Russian Grand Prix has been canceled.

Russian rider Pavel Sivakov (Ineos) also opposed the invasion on Friday, noting that the war is not supported by the Russian people. 'The past few days have been hard for me, witnessing what is happening now,' Sivakov wrote on social media. 'First of all I want to say that I am totally against the war and I am not mad about what is happening in Ukraine.

"Also, please understand that most Russians just want peace and did not want this to happen. I know that these few lines are not going to bring about any significant change in the status quo, but I just wanted to share."