Mathieu van der Pol may be Alpecin-Desseuninck's main star rider, but the Belgian team has strengthened its squad for 2023.

Sprinter Tim Merlier has left, but two-time Tour de France stage winner Jasper Philipsen also remains, giving the team four leaders for next season.

Philipsen has emerged as one of the peloton's top sprinters since joining from UAE Team Emirates in 2021. Last year he won nine of his 23 races, including four at the World Tour level, and this year he will be looking for more wins as he looks ahead to the Spring Classics.

"I think I'm a little more focused on the Classic this year," the 24-year-old, who won in Suheldeprij in 2021, told Sporza (open in new tab) from the team's recent training camp in Spain.

"I'm not thinking about the Tour de Flanders, I'm thinking about the Doire de Flenderen and Milan-San Remo. It's important to get back into Tour de France shape in the spring. Last year I didn't have much success with that, but that should be my goal now."

Philipsen will start the season with Omloop Het Nieuwsblad at the end of February and the more sprinter-friendly Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne.

"Once we get back into Tour form, there's no reason why we can't do well. And with Mathieu van der Poel and Søren Kraag Andersen, we can have the race at our will in many ways."

Clagh Andersen, who joined the team this year from Team DSM, also hopes to work with van der Poel through the spring. The Norwegian's career has stalled somewhat in recent seasons after two stage wins at the 2020 Tour, but he says he is already "motivated and energized" after joining Alpecin-Dessekininck.

"It was the right time to try something new," he told Sporza. 'You can't compare my story with Tiesj Benoot's, for example. I was at [DSM] for a long time and I didn't break my contract, but seven years is a long time.

"Already during the winter I felt that it was good to change. I felt motivated and energized."

Clark Andersen added that he has not yet fully figured out how he will work with Van der Pol on the road. Andersen, 28, said that he and his new teammate would race in a similar way, i.e., instinctively.

"First of all, I myself have to make it to the final. 'I don't know Mathieu well enough yet to know what his tactics are. But we both like to race on instinct and feeling. We are a team and I see this as an opportunity for myself and for him."

Quinten Hermans is another key addition to the team for 2023 after moving from Intermarché-Circus Wanty. The Belgian reportedly agreed to the move after finishing on the podium in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and as a result was denied a place in the summer Tour de France.

The Belgian, who will start the season with Volta ao Algarve before taking on several classics with an eye on the Ardennes, said his new team is a step above his experience at Intermarche.

"In terms of culture, the teams are very similar," he said. But in terms of performance, I feel this team is a little bit better." There are little details like nutritional apps, detailed race plans, and a clear vision."

"The team has a very good team spirit.

His main focus in the spring will be "discovering my limits" in Liège, where he has moved into second place behind Lemko Evenpoel.

"I finished second in Liège, but circumstances were in my favor. My goal now is to be at the top [of the Côte de Roche aux Faucons]." It's a small thing, but it's the most important thing in the race. You don't have to want to attack yourself, but you still have to work hard this year."