Sep Vanmarcke may not have an impressive number of Professional victories on his account, but the 25-year old Belgian, unlike other rising stars of cycling, lives up to expectations exactly when it matters most. The Belkin classics specialist won the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in 2012, finished runner-up behind spectacular Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing) in Paris-Roubaix in 2013 and after recording five top five results in cobbled races this season– including podium finishes at Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne and Ronde van Vlaanderen, believes that improving on last year’s result in the Hell of the North is not far beyond his reach.

Vanmarcke was one of many victims of the crash-marred Ronde van Vlaanderen last Sunday as the 25-year Belgian hit the deck at the early stage of the race. However, despite suffering from a minor neck injury sustained in the accident the Belkin captain for Flemish classics managed to bounce back and emerged – once again, as the only rider able to match the pace of Fabian Cancellara.

Three days before the second of cobbled monuments kicks off, Vanmarcke claims that he is no longer suffering from any effects of the crash and believes in his chances against the strongest classics riders.

"I’m one of the challengers, but there are many guys. For sure my condition is good and I like those races, so I think I have a chance," he told Cyclingnews at the start of Scheldeprijs. "I think I can race for the win."

Despite having only two professional victories in his palmares, 25-year old Omloop Het Nieuwsblad winner rarely misses a point to perform well when it’s most expected. Being satisfied with the results he so far managed to obtain, Vanmarcke admits that following podium finishes in both Ronde van Vlaanderen and Paris-Roubaix he would eventually like to finish off the work and take the spoils in the one of renowned cobbled monuments.

The Belkin rider has also pointed out that a wrong tactical decision in the Ronde van Vlaanderen finale might have cost him a victory in the race last Sunday.

"There was a chance (to win). I won’t say that I would have won, but there was a chance," he explained. "I am happy that I got the podium, for me it was an important step to get the podium at the Tour of Flanders. But, of course, if you’re so close you want to win and you’re always a little disappointed."

Vanmarcke is regarded one of a very few riders capable of challenging Cancellara in the coming Hell of the North and young Belkin captain claims that last year’s experiences serves his as an important confidence boost ahead of the second of his major season’s objectives.

"It was a big experience last year and I had a lot of morale for it that I could finish that race in a good position and race for the win."