Great Britain’s Scott Thwaites said Tour of Flanders favourites Peter Sagan and Greg van Avermaet can be beaten in the cobbled classic in Belgium on Sunday.
“They’re good riders and it will be tough, but they can be beaten,” said the 27-year-old Dimension Data rider.
“I think at the end of Flanders, no matter how good you are, you’re still tired towards the finish, so that’s the opportunity where we need to take a chance.
“I think the main thing is to make the right decisions at the end of the race and still be in with a chance of victory.”
Great Britain’s Scott Thwaites will compete in the Tour of Flanders in Belgium on April 2. Photo: Stiehl Photography/Team Dimension Data
Thwaites said he was hoping to ride “up front” with his more experienced teammate Edvald Boasson Hagen and said he would rely on the latter’s guidance as they tackle the 259km race.
“Eddy is quite experienced so it’s great having him there as the guy to make sure I’m in the right position to avoid the crashes and keep me out of trouble.”
Thwaites said he had felt strong and in good form throughout his spring classics campaign, but that luck had not been on his side.
“I’ve been caught up in a few crashes and had a few punctures at key points so far but I’ve been happy with how I’ve been riding. My condition seems to be good.
“Last year, which was the third time I rode Flanders, was the first year where I was competitive until the end of the race and I managed to get a top 20. I’d like to continue my progression and move on from there.
“If I’m in that small group at the front in the last 50km then I can maybe take my chance and have a go. It would be nice to get in the top 10 or even on the podium.”
The Yorkshireman was hoping his home ground training would work in his favour in the second monument of the season.
“In Yorkshire the area is very similar to the Flanders. It’s all up and down, very punchy climbs and I’ve adapted to that style of riding.
“That’s where my speciality lies and that translates well into Flanders.”
