After a successful and aggressive opening to their Flemish campaign, Liquigas-Cannondale’s Peter Sagan and Daniel Oss are heading into tomorrow’s Ronde van Vlaanderen with confidence. Oss has been in countless attacks, while Sagan came second in last Sunday’s Gent-Wevelgem - behind Tom Boonen - and won the opening stage of the Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde on Tuesday.
“I’m happy with the level of condition I’ve achieved,” said Sagan, “It’s a big race and I want to do well; all the conditions are right for good result. I’ve already factored in that tomorrow will be a battle because in addition to Boonen and [Fabian] Cancellara, I’ve seen that lots of other guys are riding really well.
“I’ve studied the map of the new route and discussed it with [directeur sportif Stefano] Zanatta and my teammates, and their advice will be invaluable,” the Slovakian champion explained. “I don’t know where I’ll come, and to be honest it’s not something I’m thinking about. I know I’m on form but you also need luck and experience to get a big result.
“I’ll give it 100%, but the road will have the final say,” he concluded.
At 25 years of age, Oss is already riding his fourth Flemish spring season, and is growing in confidence every year.
“Harelbeke, Gent-Wevelgem and De Panne were great races for getting used to the cobbles, and I’m ready for tomorrow,” he explained. “I’m expecting a very hard-fought race and tactics will also play a key role.
“We need to put “the rules of the north” into practice,” he said. “Ride off the front, hold your positions and maximum concentration. It’s a selective race and the new finish should really split the peloton. When they start forcing the pace, you need the legs to keep up with the best riders; I hope I’ll be with them.”
Liquigas-Cannondale for the Ronde van Vlaanderen
Maciej Bodnar, Mauro Da Dalto, Ted King, Kristijan Koren, Alan Marangoni, Daniel Oss, Fabio Sabatini and Peter Sagan