Etixx - Quick-Step has announced the selection for E3 Harelbeke, a 218km race on Friday, March 27th. The Belgian team will be heading for the classic without their strongest card Tom Boonen who suffers from a broken elbow.

The former world champion crashed in Paris-Nice and misses out on the whole spring classics season. The Etixx team is still very competitive with a roster which includes Zdenek Stybar and Niki Terpstra.

Stybar has started his 2015 campaign by taking a strong win in Strade Bianche. Joined by Dutchman and Paris-Roubaix champion Niki Terpstra, he will definitely be among the favourites for the race.

E3 Harelbeke includes 17 Belgian climbs (hellingen) including the following: Kattenerg, Leberg, La Houpe, Berg Stene, Boigneberg, Eikenberg, Stationsberg, Taaienberg, Knokteberg, Hotondberg, Rotelenberg, Kortekeer, Kapelberg, Paterberg, Oude Kwaremont, Karnemelkbeekstraat, and the Tiegemberg. The Tiegemberg is located 20 kilometers from the finish line.

To support the two riders, Etixx have lots of classics specialists. Tour stage winner Matteo Trentin, track rider Iljo Keisse, the reliable Stijn Vandebergh and Guillaume Van Keirsbulck are just some of the names.

Etixx - Quick-Step for E3 Harelbeke
Iljo Keisse, Julien Vermote, Matteo Trentin, Stijn Vandenbergh, Yves Lampaert, Guillaume Van Keirsbulck, Niki Terpstra, and Zdenek Stybar.