Bahrain Victorious to ‘Opening Weekend’

Cycling’s ‘Classics’ season gets underway in Belgium on Saturday, with what is traditionally known as ‘Opening Weekend’. Although Team Bahrain Victorious have already started five stage races, many fans consider Omloop Het Nieuwsblad to be the ‘true’ start of the year, with Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne following on Sunday.

As usual we will see two characteristically hilly days through the Flemish countryside, picturesque towns and villages, plenty of cobbles, and some of the most famous climbs in the sport.

Lead Sports Director Enrico Poitschke believes Bahrain Victorious are ready to fight for victory on both days:

“We have a very strong team. Over the last few weeks we’ve seen that our riders are in very good shape. Especially for Nieuwsblad we have a clear leader with Matej (Mohorič), but we have different options for all potential scenarios.

Mohorič, winner of Milan-Sanremo last year, comes to Belgium direct from two Spanish races in Valenciana and Andalucia, which he used as preparation for the classics:

I’m feeling good, my condition is at a good level, and I’m happy with my preparation, so I hope I’m in good enough shape to be there in the final part of the races. We have a super nice group for the classics this year; I think we’re going to work well together and have some fun out there.”

Omloop is the longest day, at 207.3kms, and features nine ‘pavé’ sections, as well as twelve hills, starting with the Kattenburg. Then it’s ten climbs in 80 kilometres, ending with a double punch: the ‘Wall’ of Geraardsbergen and the Bosberg, before a flat run in to Ninove.

Road captain for these first two Spring classics is the newest Italian member of the team, Andrea Pasqualon, and as Poitschke explains, there is a blend of youth and experience alongside him:

It’s not only the leaders who are important in these races; their helpers are vital. That’s why we have Jasha Sutterlin and Cameron Scott. Cameron is here for the first time and he can do a good job especially in the first part of the race. Filip Maciejuk was here last year and did well, and we have Andrea as road captain: he’s a guy with a lot of experience and he will get the team organised on the road.”

Kuurne is slightly shorter and, on paper, less challenging. Matej will once again be on the start line, but this time co-leading with one of last year’s stand out riders, Fred Wright. KBK (as it’s often known!) is 193kms, and with the last hour or so relatively flat, more suited to a fast man. Our line-up has no shortage of speed…

Kuurne is a different race, and in Jonathan Milan and Dušan Rajović we have fast guys to decide the race if it comes to a sprint,” Poitschke says,

“but with some wind expected over the weekend that makes the race harder, and Matej and Fred are riders that can jump in groups. We’re in a good position for both cases.”

Flemish Opening Weekend is one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the cycling season, and will deliver drama, excitement, blood, sweat and tears. No-one can predict how the races will be won, but some things are constant every single year.

Position is always the key in these races and that is always a big fight,” Poitschke concludes.

“We did good recons, and all the guys know their jobs. We like to win. That’s our goal, and these guys can do it.”

Here’s hoping opening weekend is opening WIN-kend for TBV!

_Newsletter

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