Björn Leukemans

This man from Belgium is an important trump card for spring. You can set your clock by Björn Leuke-mans; he will be ready to go in April. In 2011 that resulted in seventh place in the Tour of Flanders and the Amstel Gold Race and a ninth place in Liege-Bastogne-Liege. In 2012, a crash in the final of the Tour of Flanders scuppered his plans. However, the passionate professionalism of the man from Flanders brought him to the front of just about every classic he started this autumn. As a road captain, the role of Leukemans is also enormously important. His conducting role in the successful edition of Paris-Nice 2012 and the moment at the World Championship when he led with Gilbert at his wheel are still fresh in our memory. Leukemans will be dead set on being fit for his favourite races, in 2013. With Flecha on his side, the Vacansoleil DCM block is aiming for the cobblestones of Flanders with steely determination.