Gent-Wevelgem may often be decided in a sprint but as a past 2nd place finisher in the Belgian classic, Sep Vanmarcke is hopeful that he can split things up in Sunday's race. He leads Belkin in the semi-classic that will also be the scene of Lars Boom's comeback from an elbow fracture.

Sprints decided Gent-Wevelgem in recent years but Sep Vanmarcke has confidence that he can break it up and win the Belgian one-day race on Sunday, March 30. The Belgian, who finished second in 2010 behind Bernhard Eisel, trusts in the Belkin Pro Cycling TEAM’s power to take control. 

“In Gent-Wevelgem you need a bit of luck,” said Vanmarcke. “Of course, you need to be in good shape, but it’s not like there are many hills. The wind plays an important role. You have to sit at the front at the right time. I know that we can pull that off as a team. In Omloop we proved that we can force things in a big race.” 

Vanmarcke reconnoitred the Gent-Wevelgem parcours with his team-mates last weekend.

“It was nice to refresh my memory. I don’t train a lot in that region.” 

The most important period of the year has started for Vanmarcke. Ahead of Gent-Wevelgem, he races E3-Harelbeke on Friday.

“Which is in an important race for me, as well.”

After those two races, the Belgian will focus on the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. 

Sports Director Jan Boven has priorities for Belkin ahead of Gent-Wevelgem.

“We ride two very tough races in the days ahead of the race,” he said, referring to Dwars door Vlaanderen and E3-Harelbeke. 

“We will take it race by race. Sep is our main man in Gent-Wevelgem but with Moreno Hofland, we have another contender, especially when it comes down to a sprint.” 
 

Lars Boom, Rick Flens, Moreno Hofland, Tom Leezer, Bram Tankink, Maarten Tjallingii, Sep Vanmarcke and Maarten Wynants.