Even though Sep Vanmarcke do not place himself alongside the main contenders – Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing), Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) and Peter Sagan (Cannondale), to fight for a glory in the Ronde van Vlaanderen today, results posted by the Belkin leader in major cobbled races last three seasons are telling an entirely different story. Leaving an impression of the most consistent among the classics riders so far this season combined with his attitude of a hard worker, the humble Belgian will be one to watch today as he eyes a victory in the Ronde of Paris-Roubaix. For now, it doesn’t really matter.

Vanmarcke showed an early promise as a future classics specialist by winning the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in 2012 and confirmed a validity of such expectations by finishing runner-up to Cancellara in last year’s Paris-Roubaix.

While the ‘Old firm’ consisting of Boonen and Cancellara is still taken into consideration as first when it comes to picking favorites for any cobbled events they participate in, performances of Vanmarcke, Van Keirsbulck or Sagan are a strong indication that a new generation of classics specialists is ready and roaring to take over the reins and make an impact.

The 25-year old Belkin leader has been so far the most consistent rider, alongside Niki Terpstra (Omega Pharma-Quick Step), during this classics season, posting the top-five results in all cobbled events he participated in. However, Vanmarcke remains reluctant to compare himself with the likes of Boonen or Cancellara, insisting that he is still far from reaching their level.

“I don’t think I am on that level, or I will ever be at that level,” Vanmarcke said. “They are so strong, and they have won so much. I think I am a little bit below them, but all I can do is try to work harder and beat them,” Vanmarcke told VeloNews.

Considering his strength, sufficient to stay with the favorites on hellingen and recently proved powerful kick in the finale actually surpassing at least some of them, it is hard to agree with an excessively humble opinion of the 25-year old Belgian.

“We think Sep’s now at that level of Boonen, Cancellara, and Sagan,” said Belkin sport director Nico Verhoeven. “The big goal is to try to win one of them [Flanders or Paris-Roubaix].”

“Belkin has a very strong team, and cannot be counted out for victory,” said Cannondale boss Roberto Amadio. “We have seen Vanmarcke very strong this season. He is a top danger man.”

However, Vanmarcke enjoys the full support of the strong Belkin team and apparently satisfied with his current disposition, confirms his ambitions to take the spoils in one of the cobbled monuments this season.

“My form is good. In the [four] classics I’ve done, I’ve been top five. I am looking for the victory, of course,” Vanmarcke said. “There are a lot of people talking about the win. … We’ll see.”

“My team is working 100 percent for me,” Vanmarcke said. “They believe in me, I believe in my chances, so there is more pressure.”