The Vattenfall Cyclassics usually ends in a group sprint suited to riders with a big gear, which is why the Belkin Pro Cycling Team will support strongmen Lars Boom and Sep Vanmarcke on Sunday in Hamburg.

“Lars and Sep will have our focus,” said Sports Director Jan Boven to the Belkin website. “They are men who can handle a 250-kilometre race and sprint at the end of it. Nevertheless, our tactics will be adjusted during the race. There will be some very good sprinters at the start, men like André Greipel, Marcel Kittel and Alexander Kristoff, and so we will need to anticipate with Lars and Sep.”

Sep Vanmarcke is currently training in Luxembourg’s hills for the Canadian classics and the World Championship. The time spent could come in handy in Hamburg, as well.

“I’ve attacked more than once in the past in the hills around Hamburg, but it has really become a sprinters’ race and in recent years, we’ve always seen a bunch kick. That makes it difficult for me,” Vanmarcke said.

“This year, there is an extra lap in the hills, which makes the race a little harder. We will see if it is enough for us. If it comes down to a sprint, I’ll definitely want to get in the mix, placing in the top ten, or maybe even in the top five to score some World Tour points.”

Belkin Pro Cycling line-up for Vattenfall Cyclassics:

Jetse Bol, Lars Boom, Jos van Emden, Nick van der Lijke, Tom Leezer, Maarten Wynants, David Tanner and Sep Vanmarcke.