Peter Sagan will be a five-star favorite for victory in Sunday's Ronde van Vlaaderen. The Tinkoff rider will have a strong team around him with Oscar Gatto as the key lieutenant. The Tinkoff rider is part of a new generation of Italian classics specialists, and he’s ready to rub shoulders with the top riders this weekend to protect Sagan.

“All the northern classics are for Peter, without a doubt. I’ve seen Peter even more motivated than ever to do big things in the rainbow jersey. He doesn’t change, because he always races to win, but it will be special for him as world champion", the Italian rider told Velonews.

Sagan and Tinkoff want to win an monument. The Slovakian won Gent-Wevelgem with the rainbow jersey and he wants more.

"This year is a big year for us. We have Sagan in the rainbow jersey, and he is a sure bet in these type of races. We will have a big responsibility in the classics. It only makes me more motivated", he added. "The most important thing is to be present in the right moments. The first tactic is always for Peter, but if something happens in the race, it’s important to be there to see if there’s an occasion to do something."