Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team has announced the selection that will take part in Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen from March 1st until March 3rd. Julien Vermote was the overall winner in 2012 and will return with his OPQS teammates in 2013.
On Friday, March 1st, there is the 7km Prologue Middelkerke — in 2012, Michal Kwiatkowski won the prologue, with Vermote placing 2nd. This year's prologue features some undulation.
On Saturday, March 2nd is the 175.4km Stage 1 from Brugge to Harelbeke. The first stage features a couple tough climbs: The Tiegemberg at the 117.5km and the Holstraat at the 121.5km mark. The finish is slightly uphill.
The final stage on Sunday, March 3rd, is the 181.8km stage from Nieuwpoort to Ichtegem. There are many climbs including the Goeberg, the Zwarteberg, the Rodeberg, the Monteberg, the Kemmelberg, the Keiberg and the Ruidenberg. The Keiberg and the Ruidenberg are climbed three times in an 11km final circuit.
"The race will be similar to last year's race, and last year we won with Vermote." Sport Director Tom Steels said. "We will try to defend his title this year. There will be a short prologue and then two stages. The most important stage will be the one on Sunday with the climb of Monteberg and Kemmel. Last year this stage was really difficult because of terrible weather conditions. On the team we will also have Mark Cavendish, who decided together with the team to participate in the race after Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne was canceled. The race will be perfect for Mark to prepare in the best way for Tirreno-Adriatico. We will count on a very strong group of riders for this race, including Niki Terpstra — who is in good condition —and Gert Steegmans, who will start working on setting up the sprint and his leadout with Mark. Our objectives are to try and win a stage and repeat the good GC results of 2012. We have the potential to do that."