Sep Vanmarcke was beaten both physically and mentally after missing out to Fabian Cancellara at Paris-Roubaix last year.
The Belgian admitted the memory of Spartacus outsprinting him in the Roubaix velodrome will stay with him for some time but, consequently, the Belkin rider is a man on a mission this time out and has made an encouraging start to the cobbled Classics season.
With the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix on the horizon, Vanmarcke added fourth place at Gent-Wevelgem to fifth – having sprinted from the chasing group – at E3 Harelbeke.
Prior to this week, Vanmarcke also came in fourth at the Omloop and third at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. All of which bodes well for the 25-year-old ahead of the two Monuments to come. All eyes will be on Messrs. Sagan, Boonen and Cancellara but write Sep Vanmarcke off at your peril.
