The 129-year-old one-day race is scheduled this Sunday.
Created in 1893, ten years before the Tour de France was born, the Brussels Cycling Classic is one of the oldest races in the world, and throughout the years has seen some of sport’s biggest riders put their name on the roll of honour. Among these, are also three men who did it in the Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl colours, most recent of these being the current Liège–Bastogne–Liège winner Remco Evenepoel, who took a spectacular solo victory last year.
The Belgian won’t be at the start of the 102nd edition, but that doesn’t mean the Wolfpack will be short of options Sunday afternoon, at it will line-up a strong seven-man squad comprising Davide Ballerini, Iljo Keisse, Stijn Steels, Bert Van Lerberghe, Stan Van Tricht, Ethan Vernon and Louis Vervaeke.
Starting and finishing in Brussels, the race will put on the table a challenging 203.9km route featuring ten climbs: Rue de Croiseau, Rue de Ronquières, Zavelstraat, a circuit taking in the Muur-Kapelmuur, Bosberg, Congoberg all set to be tackled twice, and Heiligekruiswegstraat. The last of these will be crested 14 kilometers from the finish, and despite being short (just 700 meters), it has the gradients needed for what could turn out to be a decisive attack.
“The race will see the riders take on a tricky course around Brussels, which often ends in a reduced bunch sprint. This is unless a very strong rider goes solo, like Remco did last year. We are motivated, as we have a couple of cards to play on Sunday, and hope to come out of the race with a good result”, said Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl sports director Brian Holm, himself a winner of the Brussels Cycling Classic, in 1991.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
