Arnaud Demare has kicked-off his 2014 season in Qatar, the place which certainly has to bring some positive associations to his mind, as the young French sprinter snatched his first ever professional win in the 2012 edition of race held in the Persian Gulf. This year FDJ rider started his campaign slowly with only two stages finished inside the top ten, however his strong showdown in the time trial might have suggested that below par results achieved in sprints were rather the consequence of poor lead-out than insufficient disposition.

In the age of only 22 years, French Demare has had very impressive first two seasons as a professional cyclist. As a neo-pro, apart from winning stage at the Tour of Qatar in his first week in the FDJ outfit, he managed to claim four other victories. Last year he only proved his quality as a future star of the sprint, by claiming a victories at GP de Denain Porte du Hinault, 4 Jours de Dunkerque with three consecutive stage wins, Ride London Classic or Grand Prix d’Isbergues among few other races.

It may not appear as the most obvious choice of targets for the young sprinter, but this year Demare has his sights set on the start of the Flemish Classics campaign at the end of February, as he will form an interesting FDJ line-up together with Yoann Offredo and Matthieu Ladagnous. The latter two, undoubtedly defined as a classics specialists will be handed a bigger amount of freedom while responding to many possible scenarios, while Demare is expected to chase any sprint opportunities.

“When I started training again over the winter I was already thinking about the Classics,” Démare tells L’Equipe. I want to be 100% operational for the period between Gent-Wevelgem and Paris-Roubaix. For me, that’s what pro cycling is all about, that’s real cycling. I really want to ride again the top guys in world cycling at Tirreno, Sanremo, the Tour of Flanders, Roubaix…”

Considering his age, young FDJ sprinter managed to claim some respectable results in the cobbled races last year, especially at the Gent-Wavelgem which he ended up 12th. The 24th place claimed in such a demanding race as Tour of Flanders has to be considered a success, however Demare finished the event with the feeling of disappointment, as he believed that with a disposition on that day he could achieve much more. FDJ rider was poorly placed on the final climb and after missing the acceleration at the front he never managed to bridge to the first group of chasers.

“I tried to get across but ended up between the two front groups. Even though I was on my own I managed to stay away over the seven kilometres into the finish and that evening I thought to myself that I’d had the legs to be at the front,” he says.

Apart from improving his past results in cobbled Classics, Demare aims to gain further experience throughout the whole season believing, that the best years for him as a professional cyclist are yet to come.

“This winter, I got the idea fixed in my head that I had to work for the future because I’m only 22 and it is well known that riders reach maturity between 25 and 30. That is when I will attain the capacity for real excellence,” he explains.

“I’m telling myself that for now it’s all about learning, although I will look to seize opportunities, and from 25 to 30 I should be there more often contending for victory. I’ve got the mental ability to wait.”