Has the first hours of the Six-Days of Ghent made the favourites any wiser? For Iljo Keisse, it is "mainly work on the track". Jasper De Buyst has taken the lead "despite a slight annoyance" in the first tactical battle"

Omega Pharma-Quick Step rider Iljo Keisse and his teammate Mark Cavendish still need to get used to riding on the tract in the first days and will try to limit the damage.

"It was not bad," Keisse told Sporza. "It was to be expected that we would not win everything immediately. For Mark, it is long time ago since he last rode on the track and for me it has been a longer absence than usual.

"We still had to go full gas on the first day. I miss some competition rhythm and pace. It is hard work on the track. I do feel that I my condition is okay and I can go hard if I have to but it is really not easy.

"Not a single hair on my head is considering taking a lap. For now, we just try to stay close to De Ketele and De Buyst."

Mark Cavendish has already gained a lot of attention in Ghent. That is no surprise for Keisse. 

"I knew from the training that he would be good. I am sure that we will grow every day. There were questions about Cavendish, but there was no reason for that when yoy see his palmares and you know what rider he is", Keisse says.

Jasper de Buyst who won last year's race with Leif Lampater, is relieved after the first day as the effects of his crash and the World Cup in Guadalajara are limited.

"I arrived here with lots of uncertainty because I did not know how I would feel after my crash. I can still feel a few issues, especially in my back and pelvis, but I'm happy with how it goes.

"Also, my nose still bothers me, but I will be able to get through the race. Furthermore, I can count on my strong teammate De Ketele," he tells Sporza.

"Dillier and Lampater are also in contention but normally I expect that it will be a duel with Keisse/Cavendish. I am amazed by Cavendish's excellent technique and it's fun to sprint against him.

"On the first day you can not win the Six-Day but you can lose it. It's both a tactical battle and a mental fight. Everyone wants to take the first flowers," says De Buyst who took home the first bouquet.