The Omloop Het Nieuwsblad is the first race of the Belgium Spring Classics season. The ten cobbled sections and eleven hills between Ghent and Ghent promised a spectacular race and it delivered on that promise. Marco Marcato was the best rider for Wanty-Groupe Gobert. He finished 15th in the peloton. Kévin Van Melsen was present in the breakaway for the boys in blue.

“We had three designated leaders: Bjorn Leukemans, Marco Marcato and Mirko Selvaggi and they were all there in the final of the race. I have seen what I had expected to see," sports director Hilaire Van Der Schueren reflects.

One of the day's targets was to be in the breakaway and the team established this goal with Kévin Van Melsen. He was the first attacker of the day but it took until the fourth attempt until the break was established.

“Frederik Backaert and Frederik Veuchelen also tried to get in the breakaway," Van Melsen explains. "When I took off with Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r-la Mondiale) and Christophe Laborie (Bretagne-Seché) we had a gap and off we were. Although I didn't feel fantastic today, I did find extra motivation for my friend who passed away last night."

The breakaway with Van Melsen got a good gap but were caught when the final race hour started. A group of three Etixx-Quick Step riders and 2014 Omloop winner Ian Stannard (Team SKY) attacked. Marco Marcato was in a second chasing group with two-times winner Philippe Gilbert (BMC) and Sylvain Chavanel (IAM Cycling).

“I didn't feel bad at all if you look at my stomach problems which prevented me from completing the Volta ao Algarve," the Italian says.

"I just missed that moment on the Molenberg. Maybe I should have chosen Gilbert's wheel but that is a split second decision."

“Chavanel apparently wasn't that great anymore. If he, Marcato and Gilbert make it to the group with Sep Vanmarcke, things could have been different. But that's a 'could have been,' Van Der Schueren concludes.

Marcato also looks back upon the opening race of the cobbled season with content. He praises the team and praises the equipment.

"I am happy with the team but mostly with my new CUBE bike on the cobbles today. I have never had a bike like this one. I hope for another good day tomorrow where I will be working for Roy Jans in Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne.”

Jans starts in Kuurne with Danilo Napolitano, Marco Marcato, Frederik Veuchelen, Mirko Selvaggi, Simone Antonini, Frederik Backaert and James Vanlandschoot.