Next Sunday Wanty-Groupe Gobert lines up for the Tour of Flanders with Bjorn Leukemans, Marco Marcato, Mirko Selvaggi, Frederik Veuchelen, Roy Jans, Simone Antonini, Frederik Backaert and James Vanlandschoot. 

“I expect that we'll get some publicity this Sunday. The breakaway of the day is of course a goal for us but I also expect our two team leaders Marcato and Leukemans to be there in the final. They just missed that little bit extra in last weekend's races but have had a week to prepare and train at home," sports director Hilaire Van Der Schueren says.
 
Frederik Backaert and Simone Antonini will ride their first Tour of Flanders. 
 
“This is a dream coming true for me," Backaert says. The race will pass his home in Brakel on Sunday.

"I want to be part of that early breakaway and ride on the Berendries at the front. Last year I was ill during this time of the season. Now I get to ride the most beautiful race of the year." 
 
Marco Marcato does his fifth Tour of Flanders. With Tom Boonen and Fabian Cancellara out with injuries the Italian expects an open race.
 
“I feel good after E3-Harelbeke and Gent-Wevelgem. This week I trained well at home and rested. I am ready and focused. I hope we'll have a good race. It's going to be a hard race. I hope to anticipate in the final and be there. A top ten would be my ambition and that would be fantastic." 
 
Next to the experienced Leukemans (10th Flanders, 4x top ten), Selvaggi (7th Flanders), Vanlandschoot (7th Flanders), Marcato (5th Flanders) and Veuchelen (5th Flanders) three young riders take the start in Bruges: Antonini, Backaert and Jans.
 
“To them riding the Tour of Flanders is a great moment to get some valuable experience,"  Van Der Schueren concludes.