Vincenzo Albanese: “I always dreamed of these races”
The Flandrian campaign generally begins with the E3 Grand Prix on Friday, which will be followed by Ghent-Wevelgem on Sunday.
“I’m delighted to discover an event like the E3 Grand Prix. Competing in these Belgian events has always been one of my sporting dreams. These are difficult, tough competitions, with cobblestones, and in particular the sequence on the E3 Grand Prix of Paterberg and Oude Kwaremont. I hope to have a good race on Friday, being a good asset for my teammates. I can’t wait to be at the start. Last week on Milan-San Remo, the sensations were good. I hope it will be the same in Flanders.”
“Ghent-Wevelgem is a race that I really like. But it goes further and further, before it was more “settled”, as we say in cycling jargon. And when the opportunity presents itself, some people no longer hesitate to initiate a lot of movements. In recent seasons, the route has also changed with the introduction of paths, which does not displease me. Ghent-Wevelgem remains a great race in my eyes. I placed 2nd and 3rd in this event which still corresponds to my qualities”.
“E3 and Ghent-Wevelgem often sound the three bells of this period which is called, in Flanders, “Holy Week”. That is to say that for a few days the cobbled classics, called Flandriennes, will follow one another, with this almost religious craze of the Belgians massed along the roads. The E3 Grand Prix, which will take place on Friday, often tends to be compared to a “mini” Tour of Flanders, and it is true that it is in some ways the “full-scale general of this event”. . Our main card will be Luca Mozzato who recently shone on Flemish lands. Ghent-Wevelgem, disputed on Sunday, has often been the classic for sprinters. This register is a little open this year, with runners who gave more movements to the event, particularly due to the introduction of paths. But a sprint can never be ruled out in this classic which brings together many teams who come every year from Ghent with their sprinters. Within the ARKEA – B&B HOTELS team we will have the Arnaud Demare card but also other assets if the race becomes more unbridled.