In accordance with cycling’s traditions, the pavés of Flanders welcome the spring. Cannondale enters this special event for the first time, to face its charm and traps. On Friday the team takes to the starting line of the 211 km E3 Harelbeke, also known as the ‘Little Ronde’ due to the muur (cobbled hills) that it shares with the Flemish queen race, the Ronde van Vlaanderen.

Fans’ eyes will be focused first of all on pre-race favourite Peter Sagan, the Slovak champion who targets the classics as his first goal of the season. At his side will be Italian talent Elia Viviani, in Belgium searching for a bold performance. In support, the directeurs sportif will have at their disposal six reliable long distance riders such as Polish Maciej Bodnar, American Ted King, Slovenian Kristijan Koren and Italians Mauro Da Dalto, Alan Marangoni and Fabio Sabatini.

“I really want to do well,” affirmed Sagan. “And I have the form to do so. The second place Sunday in Milan-San Remo is in the books now. Friday will be the first race on cobblestones. I need to familiarize with it but I want to be competitive from the go. In Belgium, you need to know how to race and experience is essential, along with strong support from the team. I am confident in the people around me and this makes me calm and gives me encouragement”.

You can follow the live action from E3 Harelbeke here on Cyclingquotes.com from 15.15 on Friday