Tom-Jelte Slagter won two stages in last year's edition of the Paris-Nice and was agruably the strongest rider in the race, eventually taken by slightly overweight Carlos Betancur. The 25-year old Dutchman acknowledges, though, that it won't be possible to repeat such a brilliant performance this time around, after having his winter preparations derailed by a knee injury.

Explosive Slagter has exactly what it takes to excel on the Paris-Nice route, resembling a compilation of six one-day classics with an addition of a prologue and the traditional finale against the clock. The Cannondale-Garmin rider is aware, however, that being competitive against several in-form riders in his first race of the season is an illusion.

„My goals are not the same as last year. I had to do a massive work to catch up on my training, which makes it [repeating last year's performance] unachievable in such circumstances,” Slagter explained NU.nl. „Two stage victories would be unrealistic. It's just not going to happen.”

The 25-year old Dutchman revealed that a knee injury was a reason for his late debut in the 2015 season. Even though he doesn't expect himself to be competitive in his first race, he appreciated an opportunity to test himself against in-form riders and insists he would be ready for Ardennes classics.

„Fortunately I could train well in recent weeks, which allowed me to make up on a lost time. Returning to racing is the next step and it's going to be a rivalry at the highest level right from a start, but it's going to be different than last year. That injury is still in my mind.”

„I'm very excited and curious where I stand compared to the rest, who obviously have some racing in their legs. I should be in shape for Vuelta al Pais Vasco and the [Ardennes] classics. I like to think that I will,” he concluded.