World Tour classics continue with E3 Harelbeke
The spring classics continue with E3 Harelbeke this Friday, March 25th. The race features 15 hills and 4 cobblestones sections along the 206 KM route, including the well-known ascents of Taaienberg, Paterberg and Oude Kwaremont.
Team LottoNL-Jumbo will try to improve on last years` 5th place performance again with Sep Vanmarcke as their leader.
As the big cobbled classics start this week, Vanmarcke planned to be on form for them: “I’m in good shape and these races are my main targets,” 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.”
At the same time, Team Giant-Alpecin will be looking to test their legs on Friday. Their coach Luke Roberts said: “At E3 Harelbeke we are facing one of the toughest races among the Flemish Classics. We have a few riders coming into good shape and I expect them to be competitive.”
They hope to gain some advantage by having local rider Zico Waeytens in their squad:
“The second half of the race contains a lot of cobbled climbs and narrow roads making it a difficult finale. With Zico part of the line-up, we also have some added local knowledge that can be to the team’s advantage during this challenging race.”
Team LottoNL-Jumbo line-up E3 Harelbeke: Twan Castelijns, Jos van Emden, Tom Leezer, Timo Roosen, Bram Tankink, Maarten Tjallingii, Sep Vanmarcke and Maarten Wynants.
Team Giant-Alpecin line-up E3 Harelbeke: Søren Kragh Andersen (DEN), Roy Curvers (NED), Bert De Backer (BEL), Koen de Kort (NED), Ramon Sinkeldam (NED), Tom Stamsnijder (NED), Albert Timmer (NED), Zico Waeytens (BEL)