A stage win in the Tour de France, victory in the Strade Bianche and second in Paris-Roubaix and the E3 Harelbeke: in 2015 Zdenek Stybar proved that he has taken another step up. In 2016 the 30-year-old Czech will again have the spring classics as his big goal. "I dream of those races," he says. “To add a big classic like Roubaix or the Tour of Flanders to my palmares is my big goal and the only reason why I train so hard."

With Tom Boonen Niki Terpstra and Tony Martin all targeting the spring, it will be hard to get a leadershop role at Etixx-Quick-Step. "I'm not worried about that," the Czech told Het Nieuwsblad. "The condition will determine everything. The strongest rider will be the leader. Our team has the experience in those races, the experience with several top riders, and we know how achieve a good result. It will be up the team leaders to make good decisions.”

Last year Stybar was the leader alongside Niki Terpstra as Tom Boonen missed the spring. “And it worked well. I think I will have more freedom after my results last year. I close to victory was several times and now I have another year under my belt. I'm a year older and stronger. I feel good at the moment. I train well. I still have some work to do but there is still time. I'm on schedule for the spring.”

Stybar will start in the Challenge Mallorca, followed by the Volta ao Algarve, Strade Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico, Milan-Sanremo, E3 Harelbeke, Gent-Wevelgem, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.

The triple world champion expects Wout van Aert to become Belgian champion today. "And for the World Championships, I expect a lot from Lars van der Haar," he concluded.