Cobbles, hills, heavy rain and strong winds are expected to spice up Wednesday's race.
Le Samyn is neither a Monument, nor a Classic, but it always delivers in terms of spectacle, thrill and excitement. The race – created in 1968 – puts on the table a very testing 202.2-kilometers course between the Walloon municipalities of Quaregnon and Dour, which includes challenging cobblestone sectors (Rue du Vert Pignon, Rue Belle Vue) and short and punchy hills (such as Côte de la Roquette or Chemin de Wiheries), all of which are sure to take the sting out of the riders' legs and make up for some great racing.
In 2016, Quick-Step Floors took the honors with Niki Terpstra, in what was the team's first outing of March, one which took place in gruesome weather. Now, the team led from the car by sport director Geert Van Bondt will once again start the first month of spring at Le Samyn, where Jack Bauer, Rémi Cavagna, Laurens De Plus, Tim Declercq, Dries Devenyns, Iljo Keisse, Maximilian Schachmann and Martin Velits will provide a mix of youth and experience, as well as several cards to play to the team at the 48th edition of the Belgian race.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele
