Ahead of today’s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, 2012 winner and Classics star Sep Vanmarcke says he is feeling good and ready to challenge for the title once more.

“I’m okay for the opening weekend,” Vanmarcke told the press on Friday. “I came out with a good feeling from the Tour of Algarve.”

“My weight has increased three kilograms; muscle mass that is, my fat content is still the same. I’ll know Saturday night though if this will help me to perform better in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.”

He says the tough conditions forecasted will suit him, and he isn’t putting too much pressure on himself to win, as his main goals come six weeks down the line in Flanders and Roubaix.

“The weather forecast? Rain and cold make the course harder…[but] I can ride well in the rain and wind. The more difficult the better for me."

“I am 26-years-old, if [I don’t win] now, then I can still take a while. The condition is good, I have self-confidence, in short I’m ready for sure.”