Michal Kwiatkowski is the leading rider of a typically strong Omega Pharma-QuickStep line-up which will hope to repeat their Paris-Roubaix victory and further their lead at the top of the WorldTour team rankings.
The Pole is in great form, with five third places over the six stages of the Tour of the Basque Country contributing to second place overall, while he has also claimed overall victory at the Volta ao Algarve in 2014, along with one-day success at the Strade Bianche.
Directeur sportif Wilfried Peeters said: “After the success of Sunday at the biggest Monument of cycling, we have selected a team once again structured to do well.” To do well appears an understatement – victory will be the only goal in the Belgian super team’s mind and the squad includes two of Omega Pharma-QuickStep’s stage winners from the Basque Country, Tony Martin and Wout Poels.
Martin’s strength at the head of the bunch will be an invaluable asset as he returns to the Classics for the first time as an Omega Pharma-Quickstep rider. Poels, Zdenek Stybar and Jan Bakelants are all equally capable of contending for the win or providing fiercely strong support. If it all clicks into place, they will be hard to beat.