Filippo Pozzato is really motivated for the cobbled classics. He showed good form at Dwars Door Vlaanderen where he was 4th in the final sprint. But Ronde van Vlaanderen will be his last cobbled classic of the season as Southeast Venezuela was not invited to Paris-Roubaix.

"It’s important (race) for me and for the team," the Italian told Velonews. "I’m going to try to have my best result yet. Racing at the back of the group is not my secret. In fact, if you want to win in Belgium, you need to race at the front. I just don’t want to take any risks for Flanders. My condition is good. I saw that I climbed Kapelmuur faster than the others based on the time I have on my SRM. The numbers are there, but theory is one thing and practice is another."

He added that his problems with Lampre-Merida are over. "The team’s fresh air for me. My problems with Lampre were well-documented. With a new team it’s better. I always go better when I change and have new motivation."