Lawrence Petit (Groupama-FDJ) is the surprise package of the season in the Cobblestone Classic.

Few can set the Belgian cobblestone race on fire like Mathieu van der Pol (Alpecin-Desseuninck) and Wout van Aert (Wisma-Ries-a-Bike). Yet Petit has done just that in Cuneux-Brussels-Cuneux and Ghent-Wevelgem, respectively.

Both races were too long and one climb too many for the young Kiwi, who was pushed by the power of Mads Pedersen (Lidl Trek), Van Aert, and Van der Pol. He tried to finish in the top 10 in both races, but ultimately fell to 43rd and 26th. However, his potential was clear.

Pitti admitted that "not getting too excited" was probably the biggest thing he learned from watching the superstars run.

"With those types of athletes, it's easy to get carried away and try to show off your abilities. But in the finals I want to calm down a bit more and watch and learn from how they race," Pitti told Cycling News at the start of the Dwars door Fländeren.

"I haven't been able to stay with them to the line yet, so if I can learn a little bit from each race, I think I can get closer and closer."

But the 21-year-old, making his Flemish Holy Week debut, was pleased with his position, although he said he lacked some depth.

"I feel good. I just made a little mistake at the end of the race, but I'm happy. The power is there. I just lack a little bit of endurance.

"I am still just chasing results. I'm certainly surprising myself in each race, but I'm happy to be there."

The Tour of Flanders is even longer than Ghent-Wevelgem, and Petit was able to shake off Pedersen and van der Pol's chase on the final Kemmelberg climb. Still, he will be part of a three-leader strategy in Groupama-FDJ with former podium finisher Valentin Maduas and Stefan Küng, a consistent performer in the Classics.

"Usually, Lawrence, Valentin, and I will have three cards," said Küng.

"Our characteristics match each other well, so if we can all be there in the final and compete against each other, it will be a good race," Pitty said before Wednesday's race.

Pitti did not have much of a standout performance at Dwars Door Hlaanderen. An ill-timed tire puncture and bike change meant that the race started at the front and he was forced to waste most of the middle part of the race in a futile chase. The race ended in a retire.

Sunday will be his debut at the Tour of Flanders, but he will not be recklessly ambitious in his second Monument appearance.

"I'm very excited [for Flanders]. It's another long race and a whole new dynamic," Petit told Cycling News.

"It's a monument, so everyone is motivated and can give a little more. So I'm motivated too, and I'm going to try to get to the front."

With Van Aert out after a horrific crash on Wednesday and Pedersen suffering the same accident in Flanders, Grupama-FDJ's chances of a podium finish have increased. Pitti, Maduas, and Kühn could also keep up with Van der Pol if they use their numbers well.

Pitti, in his second season with the Groupama-FDJ WorldTour team, will race his first Grand Tour in May at the Giro d'Italia.

After winning his first WorldTour race at the 2024 season opener, the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, Pitti went on to have a strong showing in Europe, winning the yellow jersey in Paris-Nice.

"I'm still going to the Giro, so I want to finish the Classic strong and prepare for that," Pitti said.

"I have to have ambitious goals, so I will go for the stage win.

He will face stiff competition in the sprints, as he did in Paris-Nice, with Olaf Couey (Visma-Ries-a-Bike) and Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step) set to start the Giro in Venaria Reale. However, his versatility should give him plenty of chances on a punchy day.

Kooi won two races in Paris-Nice, with Petit right behind him, but the Kiwi said he is up for the challenge.

"I'm looking forward to racing with him [Couey]. He is very strong and very fast. He's a little older than me, so it will still take me a year to catch up to him."