Following a thrilling finale at “In Flanders Fields,” where Alec Segaert’s strong late attack was only caught in the final few hundred metres by the chasing sprinters, Bahrain Victorious continues its Flemish campaign at Dwars door Vlaanderen, on Wednesday, April 1.
The 80th edition of the UCI WorldTour Classic will once again start in Roeselare, a fixed departure point since 2007, and finish on the traditional Verbindingsweg in Waregem. The 185 km course through the Flemish Ardennes features several updates alongside its well-known decisive sectors.
After an opening flat section, the first climbs come early with two new additions: Hellestraat (1.2 km at 5.2%, max 10%) and Onderbossenaarstraat (1.4 km at 5.3%, max 10.7%), positioned around 77 km from the finish.
As in previous editions, the race is expected to be shaped by the key sectors between km 90–115 and km 130–145. These include the double ascent of Berg Ten Houte (1.1 km at 6%, max 21%), Knokteberg–Trieu (1.1 km at 7%, max 11.8%), Hotond (1.2 km at 3.1%), and the cobbled stretch of Mariaborrestraat.
The route then continues via Eikenberg, Doorn, and Huisepontweg before entering the final circuits featuring Nokereberg and Herlegemstraat. The closing kilometres are mostly flat, leaving the door open for different scenarios, from late solo attacks to a reduced bunch sprint, favouring fast riders who can survive the earlier difficulties.
Sports Director Nikolas Maes shared his thoughts ahead of the race:
“Dwars door Vlaanderen is a slightly shorter race and, at 185 km, it brings a different mindset and dynamic in the peloton. It’s always a race with an unwritten-script, but I still expect it to be quite open.
We have a well-performing Matej Mohorič and Alec Segaert, and they will be our leaders. A sprint option with Pau Miquel and Alessandro Borgo could also be possible, but first we need to make sure we come through the hardest sections with enough riders in front.
The organisers have made some changes around the second passage of Berg Ten Houte, which I believe will be one of the key moments of the race. The key zone has changed compared to last year, so our focus will be on positioning our leaders well between km 103 and 113. For this, Daniel Skerl, Kamil Gradek and Zak Erzen will play an important supporting role.
We will look for opportunities to move after the race splits. The goal is to fight for a result from a breakaway or in a sprint from a reduced group. Let’s see how the race evolves, but I believe Matej and Alec are both capable of fighting again for a top ten result.”
Alec Segaert added:
“Dwars door Vlaanderen is a race I’m really looking forward to after the Classics we’ve had so far. The feelings are good, and last year I already finished in the top ten. Hopefully this time I can do even better. I’m ready for it.”
Matej Mohorič concluded:
“We’ve had some ups and downs here in Belgium. E3 didn’t go as we hoped, but we raced well in Flanders Fields. The result was missing, but both Alec and I are feeling good. Hopefully we can give it another strong try and see what we can do.”
