Tim Merlier will be at the start of his home race as the reigning champion.
The only team to have won Nokere Koerse five times this century, Soudal Quick-Step will be in action this Wednesday at the Belgian one-day race, which will once again revolve around the Nokereberg, where home favourite Tim Merlier – clad in the Belgian Champion jersey – triumphed last year. The short but demanding hill will feature several times on the route of the 77th edition (189.8km), and it’s also the place where the race will conclude.
Two days later, Bredene Koksijde Classic (200.9km) awaits with a combination of cobbled hills – including the iconic Kemmelberg, which has become synonymous with Gent-Wevelgem over the years – pavé stretches and narrow roads. To add to these, strong winds could once again make an appearance, as was the case three years ago, and spread chaos in the bunch, changing the whole dynamic of the race and bringing more riders, not just the sprinters, in contention.
Soudal Quick-Step will send to Nokere Koerse a seven-man squad comprising Ayco Bastiaens, Antoine Huby, Luke Lamperti, Tim Merlier, Pepijn Reinderink, Lars Vanden Heede and Bert Van Lerberghe. On Friday, Gil Gelders, Paul Magnier, Warre Vangheluwe, Leander Van Hautegem and Jordi Warlop will join Bastiaens and Huby for the 22nd edition of the Bredene Koksijde Classic.
“We go with a lot of confidence to these two races. Tim will be our leader for Nokere, where he’ll have Bert to guide him in the finale. Luke is also set to compete there, and taking on the cobbles will be a nice experience for him. In Bredene, Paul will be back in action, part of a young but very motivated team. The races won’t be easy, but we are confident in our chances of getting a good result”, said sports director Dries Devenyns.
Photo credit: ©Wout Beel
