Greg Van Avermaet says he is ready to lead a strong BMC Racing Team around him Sunday at Paris-Roubaix.

The fourth-place finisher at this race in 2013 and third last week at Ronde van Vlaanderen, Van Avermaet said he likes what he is hearing about the weather forecast for the 253.5-kilometer race across 27 sectors of cobblestones.

"They are predicting dry conditions, which should be good for me, so I am looking forward to it," Van Avermaet said. "I have recovered pretty well from Flanders and my shape is still there, so I hope to do a good result Sunday. For me, Roubaix is is one of the hardest races of the year. I always suffer a lot in the last kilometers towards the finish. It a special race where big engines and heavy guys can go from far away all the way to the finish."

In addition to Van Avermaet, Manuel Quinziato is the BMC Racing Team's other past top 10 finisher on the roster, having placed ninth in 2009. Joining them will be Marcus Burghardt, Jempy Drucker and Daniel Oss, who were all in the top 30 at Ronde van Vlaanderen, plus past Swiss national road champion Michael Schär, who has recovered from his crash at Gent-Wevelgem. Two others - Volta Limburg Classic winner Stefan Küng and Rick Zabel - make their Paris-Roubaix debuts.

"We have nearly the same team as we had at the Tour of Flanders, so it is a strong team," BMC Racing Team Sport Director Valerio Piva said.

Riders:
Marcus Burghardt (GER), Jempy Drucker (LUX), Stefan Küng (SUI), Daniel Oss (ITA), Manuel Quinziato (ITA), Michael Schär (SUI), Greg Van Avermaet (BEL), Rick Zabel (GER).