More cobbles for our last race of the month.
The record for most victories in Dwars door Vlaanderen is shared by 13 riders, one of whom is our very own Yves Lampaert. The Belgian was triumphant in 2017 and 2018, writing history as the only rider to take back-to-back wins, each time with a cunning attack in the closing kilometers that caught his opponents off-guard.
The 30-year-old, who put in a solid display last Sunday at Gent-Wevelgem, will be at the start of the 74th edition, the last race before Ronde van Vlaanderen, which takes place between Roeselare and Waregem, over a 183.7km course different from what the riders had been used to in recent years.
Dwars door Vlaanderen will also mark the comeback of one of the team’s key players, Tim Declercq. “El Tractor” is ready to make his long-awaited return with the Wolfpack, more than a month since his last appearance at the Volta ao Algarve, where health issues forced him to abandon the race.
Fabio Jakobsen – a winner of six races this year, including Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne – Stijn Steels, Jannik Steimle, Zdenek Stybar and Bert Van Lerberghe will complete the team for Dwars door Vlaanderen, which will feature a total of 13 hills, including the Knokteberg-Trieu, Hotond, Berg Ten Houte and Kanarieberg.
“The course has completely changed, and it will be a hectic one, with a lot of climbing and narrow roads. We could still have a big group going to the finish line, but we are also sure that attacks will happen. We are happy to have Tim back after his illness, he trained hard and we can’t wait to see him in the race again. Also Yves is on an upward trajectory, he showed that last Sunday, so overall we are confident we can do a good race”, said Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl sports director Tom Steels.
Photo credit: ©Luc Claessen / Getty Images
