After a historical weekend on the roads of Ghent-Wevelgem, Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux continues its Flemish classics campaign with Dwars door Vlaanderen (1.UWT, 30/03), the final race on Belgian soil before the Tour of Flanders. For its 76th edition, the parcours of 183 kilometer between Roeselare and Waregem contains eight cobble sections and thirteen categorized hills.
In the first race hour, the peloton will cross Waregem for the first time before encountering the first cobble section, the Varent, after 55 kilometers. Afterwards the difficulties in the Flemish Ardennes succeed each other with for example the Côte de Trieu, Berg ten Houte and the Kanarieberg. On the way back to Waregem, the Côte de Trieu, Hotond and Mariaborrestraat have to be accomplished a second time before the cobbles of the Nokereberg, the Herlegemstraat and the Holstraat. 10 kilometer separate this last difficulty and the finish.
Except for winner Biniam Girmay, who returned to Eritrea to prepare the Tour of Italy, the whole winning team of Ghent-Wevelgem will be present on Wednesday. Alexander Kristoff (6th in 2021), Andrea Pasqualon and Adrien Petit (10 participations), who finished in the first group of strong riders, will receive the support of Aimé De Gendt, Julius Johansen, Taco van der Hoorn and Kévin Van Melsen. These seven riders will be directed by Aike Visbeek, Hilaire Van der Schueren and Steven De Neef.
« Last season I discovered the race for the first time in my career, at the age of 33. But I wasn't feeling fit. Today, the situation is completely different. All riders in our roster are in very good shape. The historic success of Biniam Girmay gives us an enormous motivation. We're armed to do well in this Holy Flemish cycling week. Last Sunday, we were one of the rare teams having four riders in the first peloton in the final. I'm convinced that we can repeat our feat this Wednesday and that we have different options to try and win the race. »
