Team DSM coach Phil West: “With all the elements we have seen in the Classics so far, De Ronde is certainly going to be the ultimate fight. The longest cobbled classic and with the most climbs and cobbled sectors will mean for sure only the best riders will come together for the finish in Oudenaarde. Again we will look to how we sit as a team and come into those key sectors and climbs in a front position, bringing John into contention for battle in the final 100 kilometres of the race where the climbs and sections then come thick and fast.”