Marcel Kittel will lead the team at the 104th edition of the Belgian classic.
Held over a distance of 208 kilometers and wedged between the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, the 1.HC Scheldeprijs usually sees some of the peloton's most fastest men line up at the start in Antwerp, as it provides the sprinters with one of the rare opportunities to add a prestigious Classic to their palmares. Created in 1907, the Belgian event has seen throughout the years some of cycling's biggest names take the victory here, but only three men managed to score a hat-trick of wins, one of which is Etixx – Quick-Step's Marcel Kittel.
The 27-year-old is actually the only rider to get these victories in consecutive years (2012-2014), and will now try to add to that tally and become the first men with four successes in what is the oldest race still organized in Flanders. On Wednesday, April 6th, Marcel will be joined by Tom Boonen – himself a two-time winner of the event (2004, 2006) and also the last Belgian to climb on the top step of the podium – neo-pro Davide Martinelli, Maximiliano Richeze, Fabio Sabatini, Matteo Trentin, Guillaume Van Keirsbulck and Lukasz Wisniowski.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele
