Mark Cavendish will lead the line for the Wolfpack at the four-day race.
An amateur race between 1953 and 1974, Circuit de la Sarthe welcomed the pros from 1975 and was immediately won by one of the biggest names in the history of the sport, Bernard Hinault. Since its inception, it was held without interruption for more than six decades, the only years it wasn’t organised being 2020 and 2021, due to the pandemic. Now, the race is making a return on the calendar between 5-8 April, and Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl will be at the start for the first time since 2003.
The opening stage, totalling over 2500 vertical meters, will already establish a pecking order, as the peloton will take five times on a hilly circuit in Mamers, with the final climb set to be tackled inside the last ten kilometers. The next three days should bring as many battles between the sprinters, although the course doesn’t completely take the attackers out of the equation.
The most successful rider in activity, with a stunning 159 wins to his name, Mark Cavendish will lead the team at the French race, where he will be joined by Tim Declercq, Belgian ITT Champion Yves Lampaert, Bert Van Lerberghe and neo-pro Stan Van Tricht.
“Sarthe can be a complicated race, due to the narrow roads and open fields, which together with the rain and wind expected this week could make things really difficult. We have to take into account that we start with just five riders, but we will do our best and try to get a stage victory with Mark”, said Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl sports director Tom Steels.
Photo credit: ©Luc Claessen / Getty Images
Yves Lampaert 
