The Belgian race will run its 101st edition this Saturday.
Brussels Cycling Classic is back with a 205.3km route that lends itself more to the attackers than to the sprinters, as was the case in the past, the former having several opportunities to break the race this year now that the Muur-Kapelmuur and Bosberg have been introduced on the course and will both be tackled twice in the space of just 50 kilometers.
Two cobblestone stretches will add even more spice to things before the last hurdle of the day, the Heiligekruiswegstraat, where those trying to go solo to the line or in a reduced group will have one final opportunity to roll the dice before the flat finish on Avenue Houba de Strooper.
Deceuninck – Quick-Step will bring to the start a strong seven-man team consisting of Dries Devenyns, Belgium Tour and Danmark Rundt winner Remco Evenepoel, Alvaro Hodeg – who just last week sprinted to victory at the GP Marcel Kint – Iljo Keisse, Olympic Champion Michael Mørkøv, Stijn Steels and 21-year-old stagiaire Stan Van Tricht.
“Brussels Cycling Classic is a beautiful race, which this year will be made even more interesting by the addition of the iconic Muur-Kapelmuur and Bosberg. If Alvaro will survive the hills, we’ll see if we can go for a bunch sprint, or at least for a reduced one. We have several cards we can play on this selective course and we are all motivated. We are excited also to see our young trainee in action. Stan will race for the first time with us and the most important thing for him will be to find his way in the bunch, and for this, Iljo is going to be of great help”, said Deceuninck – Quick-Step sports director Rik Van Slycke.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
Remco Evenepoel