Italy's future classics star, Daniel Oss is hopeful for the Tour of Flanders on Sunday. The 24-year-old will rely on his team Liquigas-Cannondale's youth and strength in what is his third appearance.
"We are young, fresh, we have a strong desire to do well and we help each other," Oss told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Oss is racing the Three Days of De Panne this week in Belgium. Yesterday, he finished in the main group with stage winner Denis Galimzyanov (Katusha).
Liquigas team-mates Peter Sagan and Tiziano Dall'Antonia are also racing the Three Days of De Panne. Oss will work with them to make a impact in the Tour of Flanders, even if they are up against heavy favourites, Belgian Tom Boonen (Quick Step) and Swiss Fabian Cancellara (Leopard-Trek).
Cancellara won the race last year after escaping with Boonen. Boonen is a two-time winner, taking top honours in 2005 and 2006.
"We are not starting defeated," Oss said. "I want to race as a contender. If there are many different ways to lose, then there is also a way to win. I'll try to come up with something to make a difference in Flanders.
"There will be lots of Italian fans who come and watch, especially on the Murr-Kapelmuur. Their love for me doesn't depend on results, but I want to give them a reason to return home happy."
Oss helped for Liquigas team-mates Frederik Willems and Manuel Quinziato at the Tour of Flanders in 2009. He finished 100th, but fell in love with the event. Last year, he made the winning group at Gent-Wevelgem to finish fifth behind Bernhard Eisel and in the company of Philippe Gilbert. He was the best placed Italian at Flanders, where he finished in a group with Lance Armstrong at 2'35" behind winner Fabian Cancellara.
Earlier this month, he caught a cold at the Tirreno-Adriatico stage race. It slowed down his training, but he now feels back near his top.
"Not everything can go your way, better get used to these setbacks that are part of the trade. And I'm starting to feel the leg spin as I say they should. So, I am allowing myself to be optimistic."
American Ted King will also form part of Liquigas' eight-man team for Flanders.