ProTeam Jenno Berckmoes and Lotto-Intermarché ambitious for E3

A final reconnaissance of the E3 Saxo Classic in Harelbeke last week, together with Luca Van Boven, even earned him the KOM on the Taaienberg. In other words, Jenno Berckmoes is in great shape. His eleventh place in Milan–San Remo last Saturday certainly played a role in that. “We were far from being among the favorites. There wasn’t even a small star next to our name,” Berckmoes laughs. “But we still secured a solid eleventh place. That gave me a lot of confidence.”

Confidence he hopes to use this Friday in Harelbeke. Berckmoes, who will be supported by Jonas Rutsch, Luca Van Boven, Matys Grisel, Roel van Sintmaartensdijk, Sébastien Grignard, and Vito Braet for the E3, is aiming high. “I feel good, I’ve made progress again. I process everything better and feel stronger. The team is also performing well. In almost all recent races, we’ve been attentive at the front and put ourselves in the spotlight. If we get a bit of luck, we can achieve great things, I’m convinced of that. I really want to aim for a good result- a top ten, or with really good legs maybe a top five.”

The E3 is often somewhat unfairly referred to as the mini Tour of Flanders. “While I think this race actually has more elevation per kilometer. It’s a very tough race, but I see more opportunities for us here than in the 'Ronde',” says Berckmoes. “A few big names are absent. Moreover, I know this course like the back of my hand. This is my backyard. I know when to wait to move up, I know exactly where to position myself. As a non-Belgian, you can recon this race as many times as you want, but you’ll never know it as well as we know these roads. That’s a huge advantage.”

Picture: Cyclingmedia_agency