Luke Rowe, fourth at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad this year, is one of three Brits in Team Sky’s squad for E3 Harelbeke and Gent-Wevelgem.
The Welshman joins Ian Stannard and Andy Fenn in the line-up for both races, as Sky look to replicate their win at E3 12 months ago, when Rowe’s fellow Welshman Geraint Thomas emerged victorious.
Thomas is instead engaged at the Volta a Catalunya this time out, so the mantle has fallen on Rowe in a strong line-up bolstered by Michal Kwiatkowski.
Kwiatkowski and Polish compatriot Michal Golas, alongside Christian Knees, Salvatore Puccio and Elia Viviani will be in action at the ‘mini Tour of Flanders’ on Friday (March 25).
Kwiatkowski is then replaced in the eight-man line-up for the more sprint-friendly Gent-Wevelgem by Danny van Poppel on the Sunday (March 27).
Rowe, 26, finished 13th at last year’s E3 Harelbeke after helping tee up Thomas for his big solo effort, and then went onto be Team Sky’s best-placed rider when he took eighth at Paris-Roubaix.
Two-time Omloop winner Stannard is another integral part of Sky’s Classics squad, and both will hope to replicate the success of Thomas 12 months ago before the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.
Luke Rowe (GBR)
Michal Kwiatkowski (POL) [E3 only]
Ian Stannard (GBR)
Andy Fenn (GBR)
Michal Golas (POL)
Christian Knees (GER)
Salvatore Puccio (ITA)
Elia Viviani (ITA)
Danny van Poppel (NED) [GW only]
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Team Sky's Michal Kwiatkowski rolls out as defending champion
