Team Dimension Data’s Reinardt Janse van Rensburg is in form for today’s Scheldeprijs that takes place from Antwerp to Schoten.
“Personally, I am happy with my form after coming back from my layoff after sustaining a concussion at Paris-Nice,” said Janse van Rensburg.
“Scheldeprijs is usually used by many riders as the last preparation for Paris-Roubaix but it is also known as the sprinters classic.
“Unfortunately, we are missing Mark Cavendish to injury but we have a few other cards to play to achieve a result.”
Reinardt Janse van Rensburg (left) and Stefan de Bod during the 2017 SA Road Championships. Photo: Stuart Pickering
Janse van Rensburg added that there was a lot that could happen during the racing with crosswinds expected and that they would certainly be looking for some opportunities.
Dimension Data have had a fair amount of success with the 205km semi-classic in years gone by with Cavendish and Tyler Farrar both having won.
While Cavendish will not start this year, Farrar will be on hand to offer his experience to the lineup.
Their two South African fast finishers, Janse van Rensburg and Ryan Gibbons will look to be in contention at the pointy end of the race.
Providing support will be Farrar, Mark Renshaw, Bernie Eisel, Youcef Reguigui and Jay Thomson. Scott Thwaites, who has shown excellent form over the last two weeks in the classics, will give that extra dimension.
The short cobbled stretch of road on the finishing circuit, which will be completed three-times, is not expected to have too much of an influence on the race outcome.
With a strong sprinters field set to line up in Mol, it is hard to see past a mass sprint in Schoten once again.
