Team LottoNL-Jumbo races the E3 Harelbeke on Friday and Gent-Wevelgem on Sunday with Sep Vanmarcke as its front man. For the Belgian hard-man, the upcoming period is about delivering results.

The big cobbled classics start this week, and Vanmarcke planned to be on form for them. “I’m in good shape and these races are my main targets,” the he said. “E3 Harelbeke and Gent-Wevelgem are always beautiful races. I want to compete with the best. This is the start of the period that’s about delivering results for me, and I will have my first chance to do so on Friday.”

Sprint

The team will support Vanmarcke fully. “Sep is our front man and we have to cover him,” Sports Director Nico Verhoeven added. “E3 Harelbeke has a very tough final. The decisive part of the race comes in the end.

“There is a bigger chance of a bunch sprint in Gent-Wevelgem two days later, but the group that will sprint for the victory is not going to be a group of 130 riders. If we have an easy Gent-Wevelgem, a maximum of 70 riders will have the chance to sprint. In that case, Sep still will be our front man. He can deliver a good result in a sprint, as well.”

Line-up E3 Harelbeke:

Twan Castelijns, Jos van Emden, Tom Leezer, Timo Roosen, Bram Tankink, Maarten Tjallingii, Sep Vanmarcke and Maarten Wynants.

Line-up Gent-Wevelgem:

To be confirmed.

Sports directors:

Nico Verhoeven and Jan Boven.