Luke Rowe is hoping for a trouble-free race in Belgium on Sunday (April 7th) as he bids for victory in the prestigious Tour of Flanders.

The Team Sky rider heads into the one day Classic – one of cycling’s five Monuments – on the back of two attacking rides in the past week.

Rowe followed up his at 18th place Gent-Wevelgem with sixth place at Dwars door Vlaanderen on Wednesday after another gutsy display.

The Cardiff-born rider was unable to follow the five man break, but his attack meant he was able to fend off the chasing pack to take sixth place.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” said Rowe. “It’s nice to follow up Wevelgem with another solid day.

“OK, sixth place isn’t a dream result, but it’s still sixth place in a WorldTour one day Classic. It’s still a respectable ride.

“Coming into the final a number of teams were chasing in the hope of a sprint and with a kilometre to go there was a bit of a lull. I attacked and managed to hold the peloton off.”

Now he is looking for another strong performance in Flanders as he bids for that victory in a major one day race to put on his cycling cv having finished fifth three years ago.

He added: “Every race we do out here is a big race, they’re all prestigious, they’ve each got their own history and I want to win.

“I just want a clean run through the race on Sunday.

“I just want to be in the right place at the right time, avoid any crashes, mechanicals, punctures, and just be in the position to have the opportunity to deliver the best result possible.

“If there’s stronger guys on the day then so be it. If you’re on someone’s wheel and they drop you, what can you do? I just want to get a smooth run and deliver the best result possible.”