While his teammate at Lampre-Merida, fellow Italian Filippo Pozzato, has chosen to mainly focus on Friday’s E3 Harelbeke, Alessandro Petacchi's primary objective is the Gent-Wevelgem on Sunday even though he is also part of the Lampre-Merida team for Friday’s E3 Harelbeke.

Although a bunch sprint decided the outcome of E3 last year, Petacchi chooses to set his sights on Sunday’s semi-classic. “I'd really like to obtain an important result in Gent-Wevelgem and I fancy my chances since my form is good.”

Even though he is still to score his first win of the season, Petacchi remains optimistic about his prospects ahead of Sunday’s race. “Luckily, this year I did not face diseases or injuries and so I could perform regular and profitable trainings, but I still haven't won any races.

On Sunday, in Milan-San Remo, the cold and the course of events limited me. I felt pretty downbeat afterward, but I'll try to convert the disappointment into positive spurs. Harelbeke will be an interesting test because it's been some years since the last time I've not raced on those roads.”

Cyclingquotes.com will be bringing you live coverage of both the E3 Harelbeke and the Gent-Wevelgem here.