CYCLING – Team Bahrain Victorious continue their Belgian cobbled campaign today with the Classic ‘In Flanders Fields-From Middelkerke to Wevelgem’ in Belgium.
Previously known as Gent-Wevelgem, the UCI World Tour one-day race will start in Middelkerke for the first time, on the North Sea coast, where the new course will unfold over the opening 70 kilometres.
Aside from this change, the 241km route largely retains its traditional characteristics, offering opportunities both for Classics specialists looking to anticipate the finale and for sprinters capable of surviving the race’s many challenges and contesting a likely reduced sprint.
“The first part of the race is completely new and mostly exposed,” explained Bahrain Victorious sports director Michał Gołas.
“Windy conditions can make the race demanding from the start, but our focus will be on conserving the leaders’ energy for the second part.
“The race will then pass through the echelon-prone area of De Moeren before heading inland towards the hilly zone. It will be a very exposed first 130km, so positioning into De Moeren will be crucial.”
“We need to commit as a team early on, as the wind can really change the dynamics of the race.”
After De Moeren, the route returns to a more familiar profile, featuring the traditional circuit with the climbs of Scherpenberg, Baneberg, Monteberg, and the Kemmelberg, which will be tackled three times, along with three gravel sectors.
From the top of the final ascent of the Kemmelberg, there are still around 35km to the finish in Wevelgem, with an unchanged run-in.
“Our plan is to position our leaders, Alec Segaert and Matej Mohoric, well before the first climbs and the gravel sectors, and then follow the key moves,” added Golas.
“The climbs around the Kemmelberg will shape the final selection. We should try to anticipate the decisive move before the last Kemmelberg. It’s important to stay calm and fight until the end.”
“It’s a very long race, and differences can still be made in the final 20km. The last 30km are almost flat, and with a tail-crosswind the speed will be very high, reducing the chances for groups to come back together.”
Following his solid performance at the E3 Saxo Classic, also held in Belgium last Friday, Segaert will line up as team leader with Mohoric as co-leader:
“Alec showed a very good level at E3, and this race suits him well,” Golas said.
“He will be our leader, with Matej as co-leader, and we will adapt depending on how the race develops.”
“We will also have four debutants: (Alessandro) Borgo, (Daniel) Skerl, (Oliver) Stockwell and (Pau) Miquel.”
“For Pau, it will be one of his first experiences on Belgian roads, but if he makes it to the final and the race comes down to a reduced sprint, he could have his opportunity.”
“While Skerl and Stockwell will support from the start, Borgo alongside Gradek will support in the second part of the race.”
&uuid=(email))