Sep Vanmarcke is again training without a brace or cast around his right wrist. The 27-year-old underwent surgery on November 18 on the right wrist after the joint had bothered him for three years tricks and a new problem during the recon of Paris-Roubaix created even more misery. "After having won a plaster and then a splint or a brace, I can finally ride without help," he tells Het Nieuwsblad.

Vanmarcke is again training properly and as he follows his proven recipe he already has a lot of kilometres in his legs. However, he expects that it will take him a bit longer to find his good shape in 2016.

"I have a small training backlog but do not change my program. Like every year I will start my season like at the Tour of Algarve and then ride the opening weekend. Atthe Omloop Het Nieuwsblad I will still not be great. This year I really want to reach my peak in De Ronde and Roubaix."

Unlike previous years Vanmarcke will do Paris-Nice instead of Tirreno-Adriatico. Milan-Sanremo and Amstel Gold Race are probably on his schedule for the first time.