Paris-Roubaix runner-up Sep Vanmarcke will return to the scene of his first big win when he joins Lars Boom to lead Belkin in Saturday's Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. The team will bring in sprinters Barry Markus, Jetse Bol, and Moreno Hofland for Sunday's Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne which is likely to end in a bunch kick.

Sep Vanmarcke looks forward to the classics opening weekend in Belgium. The Belkin Pro Cycling Team rider, supported by a committed group of teammates, hopes to impress in his home country. Vanmarcke will lead the team with Lars Boom at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. A day later in Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, Belkin will field a slightly different squad with more sprinters. 

“I’m really looking forward to this weekend,” said Vanmarcke. “Omloop and Kuurne are important races. Everyone wants to be good there. I have had a good winter and I’m happy with my form. In the Volta ao Algarve I worked for Wilco Kelderman and that was a good workout.” 

Vanmarcke won Omloop in 2011 and knows his way around.

“The parcours is practically the same, apart from a few details, and so the race will unfold as always. The race will explode on the Taaienberg and it will be a hard and open race after that.”
 

Sports Director Frans Maassen feels confident going into the opening weekend. 

“From what I've seen and heard Sep and Lars are going well. They are our leaders in Omloop and will be supported by a committed group of riders. 

“Sep will ride Kuurne as well the next day. We’ll see how he feels then. Normally, Kuurne is more of a sprinters’ race and so we will also take some fast men.” 

Jetse Bol, Barry Markus and Moreno Hofland – winner of the final stage of the Ruta del Sol – replace Lars Boom, Jos van Emden and Tom Leezer after Omloop. 
 

Belkin for the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad:

Lars Boom, Jos van Emden, Tom Leezer, Bram Tankink, Maarten Tjallingii, Sep Vanmarcke, Robert Wagner and Maarten Wynants. 
 

Belkin for the Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne:

Jetse Bol, Moreno Hofland, Barry Markus, Bram Tankink, Maarten Tjallingii, Sep Vanmarcke, Robert Wagner and Maarten Wynants.