Just at the start of the cobbled classics campaign where he is expected to shine, Belkin have extended the contract with Sep Vanmarcke. The Belgian will stay with the Dutch team until the end of the 2016 season and the team hopes that he will be able to win either the Tour of Flanders or the Paris-Roubaix during that time.

Sep Vanmarcke has extended his contract with the Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM with two years. The new agreement will run up until the end of 2016. General Manager Richard Plugge is very proud that Vanmarcke has signed a new contract.

“Sep is a diamond in the rough. Especially when it comes to the Flemish classic races. Sep is a very strong guy, who has a lot of potential. It is only logical that we wanted to extend his contract, we want to keep the backbone of our team as strong as possible.” 

Plugge praises the team spirit of Vanmarcke, who recently finished third in Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne and fourth in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. 

“The Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM is a real team. We do everything as a team. Sep fits in that philosophy very well. He is a team player and knows that you can achieve more when you do things together. During this time of the year, his teammates work for him, but in other race he puts in a lot of efforts for others, like for example in last year’s Tour de France.” 

Vanmarcke is glad he was able to extend his contract with the Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM.

“Team Belkin is my best option when I look at my future,” said the 25-year-old Belgian.

“I feel at home here. There is a lot of mutual trust and the team does everything in its power to assist me in the classics, which is very important to me. The whole team is very motivated. The Sports Directors have strong ties with the Cruyff Institute and it is good to see that they, just like the riders, work hard to improve.” 

Sports Director Nico Verhoeven aims high with Vanmarcke.

“We hope to win the Tour of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix with him. Last year, despite a knee injury, Sep was second in Roubaix. That proves that he’s a big rider. He’s one of the best classic riders in the world. We both feel that we are on the right track together. As a team we are very pleased that we have been able to tie Sep down for two more years.”