Classics specialist Jasper Steiven says he is in the prime of his career as he aims to return to the regular racing calendar in 2021. The Belgian rider, who is entering his eighth season with Trek-Segafredo, has enjoyed a successful partnership with Mads Pedersen, winning Omloop Het Nuusblad and Gent-Wevelgem last season.

Steuben, speaking by phone from Trek-Segafredo's training camp in Spain, discussed his main goals for the 2021 season.

Stuyven said he feels he is in contention for the top spots in the Classics and, at 28 years old, is having his best year as a rider.

"When I won the Coure Brussel-Coone (in 2016), it was talked about as my first big win, and when I won the Omloop (in 2020), people said, 'Finally, your first big win.' But I always said that when I turned pro, I didn't want to be the guy who wins at a young age"

. [I thought my best season was from age 27 to 33-34, so to win the Omloop at 27, I think I came in at the right age [to peak]. Who knows if I can win all the races, but I feel I'm one of the stronger ones out of the competitive field."

Thanks to the COVID-19 epidemic, last year's spring season was different from previous years, with the opening weekend (Steuben also finished fifth in the Cune) and Paris-Nice seven months away from the usual April Classics.

Stuyven was not at his best during the fall season from Ghent-Wevelgem to the Tour of Flanders, but his team still took a big win in Ghent-Wevelgem thanks to 2019 world champion Pedersen.

"I don't think it was 'excellent Jasper' but 'good Jasper.' 'But I'm not really disappointed. But I don't think I'm really disappointed. It wasn't the best for me, but I ran with the team and we won in Ghent-Wevelgem."

"I don't think you can say we weren't competitive or we weren't a strong team if we win two big classics. We were at a good level and could have won."

Steuben said that winning Omloop did not change his expectations for the future and that his goal this year is still to compete for wins in the biggest classics, the Tour de Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.

"I aim for the classics every year, and as I said before, Mads and I are the leaders, so that includes winning those races. That includes winning Flanders and Roubaix.

"Would I be disappointed if we won again in Omloop instead? No, not really. It is still the World Tour Classic. I didn't get the result, but I would be very happy if I won in Roubaix." Of course. My goal remains the same and my ambition is to win one of the Classics."

While big-name rivals such as Mathieu van der Pol and Wout Van Aert will again dominate the discourse and the list of potential winners come spring, Stuyven sees a more open field than in the past, say, the Cancellara-Boonen era.

"Everyone talks about these two. There are other riders besides these two, but if they have a super day, it proves that they are at a really, really high level, and you don't go into a race thinking you can only finish third, and that's what's exciting about bike racing."

"Just because you have a strong Classic campaign doesn't mean you can dominate every race you enter. The group of top riders is definitely getting bigger. It's great to see different riders winning all the races. I think it makes the races exciting because so many things can happen. "

In late 2021, Steuben will take on his fifth Tour de France. After three third-place finishes, including last year's Champagnol, he will host his fourth world championship in his hometown of Leuven.

"Of course, there was talk of Leuven being the host city, and the question was what the course would be like. 'The finish is 150 meters from where I grew up, so it's really my home race. I'm definitely looking forward to it."

"It's great for any athlete to have the World Championships in their home country, but to have it in your hometown gives you even more experience and excitement.

"I think on a course like that you can be in contention for the win, but a course like that is also suitable for many Belgian riders. But a course like that is also suitable for many Belgian riders. It is about finding a balance and having the right leader. For me, I want to be part of that. That's the ultimate goal."

.