Wout Van Aert stands by his comments about Mathieu Van Der Poel's run in Gent-Wevelgem, insisting that the same situation will not repeat itself in Sunday's Tour of Flanders.

Interviewed in Wevelgem after his eighth-place finish, just ahead of Van der Poel, the Jumbo Visma rider said that he was targeted by his former cyclocross rivals and felt that they would rather see him lose than give him a chance to win the race.

The comments caused a storm in the Belgian media, with many former riders, including Monument 7 winner Tom Boonen, taking issue with Van Aert's comments.

The rivalry between the two dominated the preparations for Sunday's Tour de Flanders, and the incident became a major talking point when Van Aert gave a midweek interview to Belgian newspapers Het Nieuwsblad and Het Laatste Nieuws.

"I was surprised that it was such a big deal the next day. On the other hand, everything was whipped up. It certainly wasn't like a shouting match. I heard language that was a bit exaggerated compared to what actually happened," he said.

"I was just telling you how I felt about that race. I don't think I offended Mathieu. I think he has the right to say so. After the Cross race I was angrier than I was last Sunday. I think we both spoke our minds. This matter is over for me."

Asked if he would have said it differently if given a second chance, van Art said, "I probably would have said it a little more calmly and kept it to myself. But that's how I felt at the time. I haven't changed my mind now. In the last kilometer, I think Mathieu showed that winning is not that important to him. I can't get rid of this impression."

In Van Aert's eyes, the matter has been put to rest, and now he is thinking about Sunday's Tour de Flanders, where he and Van der Pol are among the leading contenders for the win.

Regarding his frustration in Ghent-Wevelgem, Boonen warned Van Aert that he needed to "get over it." Van Aart insisted that this would not happen in Flanders.

"I don't think so. The race is much more difficult. This happened after Ghent-Wevelgem, so I don't think it's likely to happen again," he said.

"As for me, I learned a lesson from it: it won't happen a second time."