On the eve of Paris-Roubaix, the often-spoiled Belgian fans are still awaiting the first Belgian victory of the spring Classics season. That`s quite remarkable, seeing as how many riders are often regarded as favourites. There`s Greg Van Avermaet (CCC), Deceuninck-QuickStep`s Philippe Gilbert and his teammate and current Belgian road race champion Yves Lampaert, among others. As the riders are part of international teams, they`re not as focused on the nationality of the winners, but their fans on home soil will think differently about that. During the teams presentation for Paris-Roubaix on Saturday afternoon in Compiègne, France, several Belgian riders expressed their hopes of taking victory at `The Hell of the North`.ADVERTISEMENT Last year`s Belgian road race champion Oliver Naesen was well aware of the expectation on him and his compatriots. `Sorry, Belgium, but it`s not that easy, of course,` he said. `I will try. I haven`t talked about it with my anybody, but I know that, for the Belgians, it`s maybe a bit disappointing. `In every race, we`re among the protagonists. There are always around five Belgians in the top 10 at every race, but we just haven`t been able to win this year,` the 28-year-old AG2R La Mondiale rider said. Van Aert leads Belgian charge Stuyven: I believe that I can win this race Benoot and Keukeleire shoulder Lotto Soudal hopes Three-pronged attack for EF Education First
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