The start from Omloop van het Houtland (1.1, 23/09) moved in 2019 towards the sea bank in Middelkerke, from where the peloton will start again this Thursday for two local laps. The peloton heads from the North Sea via Diksmuide and Torhout to the circuit in Middelkerke. The weather circumstances can determine whether a complete peloton will tackle the eight laps of 12.1 kilometer after 95 kilometer. Even though this race is suited for sprinters, breakaways managed to sprint for the victory in the past. That’s how Tom Devriendt managed to win his home race in 2017 and Taco van der Hoorn, 3rd in the previous Omloop van het Houtland in 2019, made it to the poster of this 74th edition.
Both riders are part of the line up under the sportive direction of Hilaire Van der Schueren and Steven De Neef. Danny Van Poppel, 2nd in the Gooikse Pijl last Sunday, wants to test his fast legs one more time before Sunday’s World Championships. Also Belgian rider Baptiste Planckaert wants to continue his success as he finished three times in the top 10 in his five last races in the past 10 days. With Pieter Vanspeybrouck, the road captain born in Tielt, another West-Flemish rider is at the start. The German rider Jonas Koch and Dutchman Boy Van Poppel, important elements of the sprint train, complete the line up.
« I have great memories from my first professional victory in Lichtervelde, in this race in 2017. Since then, I didn’t miss one edition of the Omloop van het Houtland. A moderate wind is expected on the parcours this Thursday, so we need to be ready for crosswinds. But a bigger peloton can be formed towards the final, because many teams probably want a bunch sprint. This scenario is also in our favor, because with Danny Van Poppel we’re lining up with a potential winner. Furthermore, we need to be attentive for breakaway attempts in the final, because in Lichtervelde they stand a chance. My race calendar has been disturbed this season because of an infection with the Covid virus and muscular problems, but now I recovered I’m even more motivated to contribute to the team’s succes in this final month of the season! »
Line up:
Tom Devriendt
Jonas Koch
Baptiste Planckaert
Taco van der Hoorn
Boy Van Poppel
Danny Van Poppel
Pieter Vanspeybrouck
Sportive direction:
Hilaire Van der Schueren
Steven De Neef
