Bjorn Leukemans is ready to lead the Wanty team in their first major classic of the season when he takes to the start line for Saturday's Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Having made a conscious choice to miss the team's course recon, the veteran Belgian is reported to be fully prepared for the weekend's challenges.

Prior to this season, the Accent.jobs team transformed into the Wanty squad and the Belgian team has had a highly successful start to the season, taking several stage wins in the Tropical Amissa Bongo and launching Thomas Degand as a GC rider in the Tour Mediteraneen and the Vuelta a Andalucia. However, the pressure to perform becomes real this weekend when they line up for their first races on home soil.

For the cobbled classics, the team signed for Vacansoleil star Bjorn Leukemans who is a perennial top 10 contender in the biggest one-day races. Until now the Belgian has had a quiet start to his season and he chose not to take part in the team's course recon.

Nonetheless, his team manager Hilaire van der Schueren insists that his captain is ready.

"He had nothing to look at," he told Het Nieuwsblad. "Leukemans still hasn't found easy course recons useful. Thus Leukemans made a conscious choice. He knows how to prepare a race. I know he is ready for Saturday.

"Our 150km recon began from the Muur de Grammont. Unlike last year, the roads were very good. I always find a course recon useful and the riders also get the feeling of the cobblestones.

"From now on, my riders will have rest on their program. In Kuurne we will play the cards of Danilo Napolitano and Jean-Pierre Drucker."

You can read our preview of the race here.

Wanty for the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad

Laurens De Vreese, Jan Ghyselinck, Björn Leukemans, Frederick Veuchelen, Kevin Van Melsen (all Bel), Wesley Kreder (Ned), Jean-Pierre Drucker (Lux), Mirko Selvaggi (Ita)

Wanty for Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne

Tim De Troyer, Frederick Backaert, James Vanlandschoot, Roy Jans, Frederick Veuchelen, Danilo Napolitano (Ita), Jean-Pierre Drucker (Lux), Mirko Selvaggi (Ita)