After his victory in Milan-San Remo, Arnaud Démare has set his sights on other spring classics. Interviewed by Cyclingnews, FDJ general manager Marc Madiot explained that Paris-Roubaix remains one of his main goal for this season.

"We’ll be a bit more relaxed having won Milan-San Remo, but Paris-Roubaix remains a big objective for this year and for the years to come. He doesn’t need any specific race conditions to win: he’s got the profile of a rider who can do well at Paris-Roubaix", Madiot explained.

The victory on the Via Roma makeshim more confident. "It doesn’t change anything, you still have the same pain in your legs the next day. Of course it gives some more confidence, but when you’re racing again the following weekend, the computer goes back to zero and you start from scratch again. That’s how we work."

On Sunday Démare won the bunch sprint for fifth, ahead of Fernando Gaviria (Etixx-Quick Step) at Gent-Wevelgem. "The route for Gent-Wevelgem has changed this year, though. We go over both sides of the Kemmelberg, so the race will be different, or, at least, it certainly could be different."

Madiot's team has had a very good start to the year, especially when comparing the budgets. "They’re stronger than us, they’ve got more money than us. They have double our budget and then on top of that, we have the extra burden of taxes in France so they’re stronger than us. We’re at a good level and we’re very prepared and focused to do well in certain specific races – but not every race all year long."