A strong team returns at the race we have won five times in the past decade.
Held in West Flanders, on a 9.5km-long circuit, Gullegem Koerse (171 kilometers) – a race created more than seven decades ago – will be a fast and hectic one, and judging by how things went at the past editions, it can go either to a sprinter, or to a rider capable of an audacious attack from a reduced group.
2017 winner Yves Lampaert is one of the four different Deceuninck – Quick-Step riders to have triumphed at the race over the years, and the Belgian Champion will be again at the start, together with fast men Alvaro Hodeg and Fabio Jakobsen – who between them have scored six victories so far this season – Danish Champion Michael Mørkøv, and Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and E3 Harelbeke victor Zdenek Stybar.
Sports director Rik van Slycke made a preview of Tuesday’s event, which he expects to be again an action-packed one: “We love doing Gullegem, because it’s always a good race, with huge crowds, great atmosphere and a strong field. We can expect a very fast race and some rain that could influence the outcome. On many occasions, an early break made it there, so it will be important to have someone in that move. In case it all comes down to a bunch sprint, we will rely on Alvaro and Fabio to get a good result, so we’re quite motivated and prepared for this.”
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele/ Getty Images
Yves Lampaert