Team Bahrain Victorious is ready to launch its Classics campaign this weekend at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (March 1) and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne (March 2).

The Opening Weekend marks the start of WorldTour racing in Europe, beginning with the 80th edition of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. The 197km race starts in Ghent, near the ‘t Kuipke Velodrome, before heading into the East Flanders region. Along the way, riders will face 11 climbs and 8 cobbled sectors, with the first sector, Paddestraat, appearing after just 30km, and the first climb Leberg, after 50km.

The race is expected to ignite at the 100km mark, where the remaining of the climbs and cobbles are packed into the final 90km. With 17km to go, the peloton will approach iconic Muur-Kapelmuur before taking on the Bosberg, a crucial point where the final selection is likely to be made ahead of the finish in Ninove.

Team Bahrain Victorious will be led by Matej Mohorič and Fred Wright, two riders well-suited to the Belgian Classics’ demands. They will be supported by Andrea Pasqualon, Matevž Govekar, Kamil Gradek, Roman Ermakov, and Robert Stannard.

Michal Golas, Sports Director, commented:

“I think we’ve done a great job since December, ticking all the boxes in preparation for these races. We’ve tested equipment, completed recons, and the riders have shown great dedication throughout the winter. Hopefully, all the hard work pays off. Our performances in previous races have proven that we’re in good shape and ready to be competitive here.

For Omloop, Matej and Fred will be our leaders. They’ve already shown they work well together, and I hope they can deliver a strong result on Saturday. As the first Classic of the season, it will be a tough and stressful race with extra tension in the peloton, so we need to stay focused and avoid potential issues early on. Our support riders—Ermakov, Matevž, and Gradek—will play a crucial role in protecting our leaders through the initial phase. Andrea Pasqualon will also be key in helping us during the middle section of the race, ensuring we stay in a strong position before the decisive moments.

Once we reach this phase, the race will start to take shape, and we’ll need to be ready to race aggressively, following attacks and responding to key moves. The final selection will likely happen on the Muur and Bosberg, where we expect Matej, Fred, and Robert to be in contention for a strong result.”

The following day, the team will take on the 77th edition of Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, another nearly 200km race that presents a different challenge. Slightly flatter than Omloop, Kuurne offers opportunities for both aggressive Classics riders and sprinters.

Starting in Kortrijk, the 196km course features 13 climbs, with a crucial section coming at the halfway point when riders face Hameu des Papin, Le Bourliquet, and Mont Saint-Laurent in quick succession.

The final climb of the day, the Kluisberg, comes with 60km remaining, setting the stage for a tactical battle between breakaway specialists and sprint teams looking to control the race.

For Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, Team Bahrain Victorious will make two lineup changes, with Vlad Van Mechelen and Alberto Bruttomesso replacing Kamil Gradek and Roman Ermakov.

Van Mechelen, making his Classics debut, is eager to impress on home soil, while Bruttomesso will provide support for the team. Meanwhile, Mohorič, Wright, and Stannard will be ready to follow key moves and long-range attacks and Matevz Govekar will also be an option for a reduced bunch sprint to ensure the team remains competitive in all race scenarios.

Michal Golas, Sports Director, added:

“For Kuurne, it’s a different scenario, as we have a rider taking on their first Classic. Vlad Van Mechelen will make his classics debut, and I know he’s highly motivated to prove his talent. He’s already demonstrated his abilities, and I believe he will be a great support for the team. Bruttomesso also joins the team and will be looking to build from his experience last year and support the leaders.

Govekar gives us a good option if it comes down to a reduce bunch sprint. However, we anticipate a tough middle section, where many teams will try to force a selection. Matej, Fred, and Robert will need to be alert to follow the key moves. Andrea Pasqualon will again be important in helping us maintain position and react to attacks.

This race will be a battle between the fast finishers and the aggressive riders aiming for a long-range attack. Fortunately, we have strong options for both scenarios, giving us a great chance to secure good results this weekend.”