Bahrain Victorious returns to Belgium this weekend for a series of races targeting the fastest riders in the peloton. The team will line up with a sprinter-focused squad across three events: the Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen (UCI 1.1) on Friday, 18 September, the Flandrien 0.0 Classic (UCI 1.Pro) on Saturday, 19 September, and the Gooikse Pijl (UCI 1.1) on Sunday, 20 September.

With slight changes to the lineup and leadership across the three races, the selected riders are Bauhaus, Borgo, Erzen, Gradek, Mohoric, Stannard, Van Mechelen and Feldhoffer & Babovich, who join from the Development Team.

“The goal is clear,” says Bahrain Victorious Sports Director Nikolas Maes. “I expect three strong results in these three races, where we will combine tactical intelligence with our capabilities as a team.”

Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen

The Belgian racing weekend begins with the 110th edition of the Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen, also known as Koolskamp Koers, named after the town hosting both the start and finish. The race is famous for its distinctive Flanders lion jersey, awarded to the winner, and its prestigious roll of honour, which includes cycling legends such as Eddy Merckx.

The 181-kilometre course consists of 12 local laps of 17 kilometres, setting the stage for a typical bunch sprint. The race attracts some of the world’s best sprinters each year, although the possibility remains for aggressive racing from breakaway specialists looking to avoid a group finish.

“I believe a bunch sprint is the most likely scenario, and that is what we will work towards, with the aim of bringing our fast man Zak Erzen to the finish line,” Maes explains. “The key will be staying organised and getting the timing right, with our lead-out train composed of Feldhoffer, Gradek and Bauhaus as the last man.

“Although it looks like an easy race on paper, the finale could be hectic. The wide, open roads can create constantly changing situations in the final kilometres, while the bends in the last kilometre can make positioning tricky. The wind could also play a role, and it goes without saying that we will face a very strong sprint field in Koolskamp.”

Alongside Feldhoffer, who recently raced in Italy with the WorldTour team, Babovich will join from the Development Team, returning after his first experience at the Ronde van Limburg in April.

The lineup is completed by Robert Stannard and Belgian rider Vlad Van Mechelen, who will have extra motivation to perform in front of his home supporters. Van Mechelen achieved a strong eighth place at last year’s SUPER 8 Classic.

Flandrien 0.0 Classic

The 16th edition of the event honouring cycling legends Raymond Impanis and Peter Van Petegem will take place on Saturday. The race, which has held UCI ProSeries status since 2020, has been renamed the Flandrien 0.0 Classic.

The nearly 200-kilometre course from Brakel to Haacht suits sprinters, although the terrain is more demanding than the previous day and a mass sprint is not expected to be the most likely outcome.

“We expect a reduced group to reach the finish,” Maes explains. “The course is more complicated than the previous day, with some hilly sections that, although not particularly difficult, could create selections.

“Our goal is to win, whether from a front group or a reduced bunch sprint. Alessandro Borgo will join the team and be our leader. He already won in Belgium this year at the Grand Prix Criquielion and has shown good form recently, taking an outstanding third place at the Bretagne Classic. He also rode well at the Renewi Tour.

“Besides Borgo, Matej Mohorič will also join the lineup.”

With the exception of Erzen and Babovich, the rest of the riders will remain the same as in the opening race. For Sunday’s Gooikse Pijl, Babovich will return to the lineup in place of Feldhoffer.

Gooikse Pijl

The 23rd edition of the Gooikse Pijl will conclude the Belgian weekend on Sunday. The 195.8-kilometre race from Roosdaal to Gooik features a route that has remained unchanged in recent years, with sprinters once again expected to be among the main contenders.

After a short opening point-to-point section, the race gets underway in earnest after 21.4 kilometres, when the peloton crosses the finish line for the first time. This marks the beginning of eight laps of a 21.8-kilometre circuit, which makes up most of the race.

Aside from a few gentle undulations, the circuit contains no significant elevation challenges, making another bunch sprint highly likely.

“For this final race, we expect a hard and chaotic bunch sprint,” Maes says. “Borgo will be our leader again. The race can become harder as it progresses, and our sprinter has the qualities to arrive at the finish in good condition. I would say the harder the race, the better for us.

“The wind on the open sections of the course could play a role, as could the weather, although conditions should be quite favourable. We remain focused on the final outcome: sprinting for the victory.”