Lotto Soudal head into Roubaix with Vermeersch and Campenaerts eyeing strong result

Lotto Soudal have not been enduring an easy season so far, and tomorrow they will have another opportunity to turn their luck around at Paris-Roubaix. Their lineup will include a mix of experience and talent, with last year's runner-up Florian Vermeersch as an important part of it.

The young Belgian rouleur has said in a pre-race press release: “Although last year’s second place has changed quite a bit, I don’t necessarily feel more pressure to perform. Personally, my ambition for Paris-Roubaix remains the same as for any other race this spring. I want to be part of the final and feel that I can battle for the win. Most of all, I am really looking forward and I expect a lot of myself. But if I won’t be able to grab a top result, that will be a pity but not a disaster.”

Roubaix is a race that often rewards high risks. The 23-year old didn't start last year's race as a favourite, however having put himself on the right breakaway and having great legs on the day, he found himself in a position to take the title, only narrowly beat by Sonny Colbrelli.

Despite this breakthrough performance, he has kept both feet on the ground and doesn't feel the pressure to repeat the performance: “Honestly, the first months of the season have been disappointing for me. Partly due to crashes and bad luck, I feel that I haven’t had the opportunity to fully show myself. Unfortunately, things don’t always go as you plan them. The tide can also turn very quickly, hopefully starting this Sunday.”

“What makes Paris-Roubaix so heroic and tough? Especially the succession of the cobbled sections. And purely based on power, it is one of the hardest races of the season. Also the impact the race has on your body is not to be underestimated. Last year, I suffered from quite some pain in the hands and sore muscles, even days after the race," he concluded.

Lotto Soudal for Paris-Roubaix: Florian Vermeersch, Victor Campenaerts, Cedric Beullens, Philippe Gilbert, Sébastien Grignard, Roger Kluge and Brent van Moer.