One week after the opening of the Belgian race calendar, Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert Matériaux participates in the GP Monseré (1.1, 06/03) this Sunday, a one day race on West-Flemish soil.
The loop connecting Hooglede with Roeselare has to be covered four times and was extended this year to a distance of 50 kilometer. On the way to Ichtegem, the riders have to climb the Hoogledeberg (600m at 3%) and the Ruidenberg (1.2km) before covering the cobbles of the Lookhuisstraat (1.4km at 1.7%) and the Gitsberg (500m) 7 kilometer before the finish.
Around Belgian sprinter Gerben Thijssen, the line up directed by Pieter Vanspeybrouck can rely on Tom Devriendt, author of several top ten finishes in the Middle-East, Danish rider Julius Johansen, Frenchman Hugo Page, Hungarian rider Barnabás Peák, Belgian rider Kévin Van Melsen and Dutchman Boy Van Poppel.
"I'm very impatient for my first bunch sprint of the season, which probably will take place this Sunday. The missed UAE Tour because of physical problems increases my desire to be immediately in the mix and start with a good flow. My good feeling in training makes me think that I am ready for it. I did the recon of the parcours earlier this week with Tom Devriendt, one of the riders with who our sprint train worked hard this winter. It is new for me that I can rely on an entire team to surround me towards the final 200 meter and this motivates me a lot. I want to prove that I am worthy of their confidence!"
