Clarke's jump to the ProTour

By Bjorn Haake in Middelkerke

Hilton Clarke is racing his first season in with a ProTour team, Fuji-Servetto. The Australian sprinter moved over from US-based Toyota-United to Europe-based team this last winter.

"It's going really well racing in the ProTour," he told Cyclingnews at the KBC Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde.

He was quick to add that the races require full strength. "Last week I got a little bit sick and to do these Classics a little bit off is almost impossible."

Clarke still wants to fight through the three-day race. "I am hoping to become better and to get through this week, before Flanders."

In the domestic US scene, Clarke made a name for himself as one of the fastest guys on the circuit.

Clarke feels at home within Fuji-Servetto, a Spanish team formed out of the old Saunier Duval team of Mauro Gianetti. Some of his teammates include Cuban Ivan Dominguez Juan José Cobo and Ángel Gómez Gómez.

"The team is wonderful. It's great to be on it and the atmosphere is really good."

His personal goals are rather modest: He wants to get through the whole season and, if the chance comes, take a victory in Europe.