Paris Roubaix Juniors 2018 Preview

The hardest one day race of the season for juniors has finally arrived. Just a few hours before we are going to watch a battle between Quick Step and the rest, young riders will tackle the same cobbled sectors in their own battle for glory.

History

Paris Roubaix Juniors has a pretty short history with first edition dating back in 2003 but it's a big event with impressive list of past winners (just to name a few: Geraint Thomas, Guillame van Keirsbulck, Jasper Stuyven or Florian Senechal, Mads Pedersen with Sagan, Debusschere and Demare all finishing second in different editions). Since 2008 junior version of cobbled classic is a part of UCI Nations Cup meaning we will have national teams instead of club teams at the start in Saint Amand les Eaux. Last year, we have witnessed impressive ride by Tom Pidcock who has attacked from the peloton, joined the strong break and then attacked once again to arrive solo in Roubaix. Daan Hoole and Mathias Larsen completed the podium.

History: Mads Pedersen winning Roubaix in 2013 ahead of Nathan Van Hooydocnk and Tao Geoghegan Hart

Route

The route is pretty much the same as last year. Juniors will cover 111 kilometres from Saint Amand les Eaux to Roubaix facing sixteen cobbled sectors. Mostly the same ones as last sixteen in elite race. So actually the only difference between elite and junior race is the distance as the crucial cobbled sections are pretty much the same. The juniors will tackle total of 28,9km of cobbles. The main difference between elite racing and juniors is that we can expect attacks and strong pace on every single cobbled sector for two reasons last least. One is to tire legs of other teams and second to stay in front and control the race instead of  risking a crash in the middle of group. Strongest teams will be at the front for all cobbled sectors while the crucial moves should happen in the most difficult sectors like Mons-En-Pévèle and obviously Carrefour de l’Arbre.

I have asked Jim Brown, one of the GB team leaders, to share his thoughts about the route:

We did a recon the day after racing Gent-Wevelgem a couple of weeks back, that alongside riding and racing it last year means that I’ve ridden the route 3 times in total so I’d say I have a decent experience for this race, I really like the course and the atmosphere was great last year too. I would say that the Carrefour de l’Arbre is going to be the main place where race winning moves will be made, however most of the junior races I have done this year have been won from much further out from the finish than that so I would say it’s difficult to pinpoint one specific sector.

Remco Evenepoel, Kuurne Brussel Kuurne winner, also shared his thoughts:

Roubaix can't be an easy race. Every cobbled sectors like a climb, full gas. I guess it will be great experiance but also a little bit dangerous. I guess the strongest riders will be on the top of the ranking. I hope to get a top 10 or even more! I guess Mons-En-Pévèle will be very important! I can’t wait for this weekend’s Paris-Roubaix!

Winner of Ronde Van Vlaanderen, Daniel Arnes is ready for a battle:

I think it will be important to be in the first part of the peloton before and during the first pavé sectors. It will be a fight for positions and many nervous riders. So the first part will be important if you want the opportunity to be in the front group the rest of the race. I think the Carrefour de l’Arbre will be one of the most decisive parts in the race. A hard section not so far from the finish line. So it is possible for somebody to ride away there. I like the course. You need to be 100% concentrated for the whole race. And the atmosphere around the race is amazing. There were many fans already on Thursday during the recon ride. So it will be an experience of a lifetime. Roubaix is a war and you never know who is coming out on the winning side. But the strongest nations like France, Italy, Denmark and Belgium are always be represented in the end. But I think we have a strong team and we Vikings are always ready to go to a war.

Favorites 

Remco Evenepoel is still the main favourite for tomorrow. Belgian rider has recently raced Ster Van Zuid Limburg where he won the queen stage in a style, solo and over a minute gap on the elite group of race favorites. His GC chances were lost a day before when he crashed hard and lost nine minutes. In Gent Wevelgem he was one of the strongest riders but unexpected early attack from some of his main opponents for Roubaix finished his dreams of winning. As always, he will be supported by a strong team including Vito Braet who is having a very good classic period including tenth in Kuurne, fifth place in Guido Reyboruck Classic and recent fourth in Ronde and can fight for a win as well.

In last two years Norway had a strong team but they have lacked a bit to fight for a win. This year they have two strong cards to play and should be the main rivals for Belgium and Denmark. Soren Waerenskjold who was already eleventh in Roubaix last year, was part of a crucial breakaway in Gent Wevelgem where he finished second beaten in a sprint by Samuele Manfredi. Last weekend he has raced two smaller races in Belgium and won both of them. Actually, Norway totally dominated those races having seven riders in top10 in both Nieuwkerken on Saturday and Dilsen on Sunday! At the same time Daniel Arnes was busy winning Ronde. He attacked and managed to get away solo finishing with 43 seconds over Adne Koster. Both Norwegian team leaders are capable of winning tomorrow and the whole team looks very strong now and should be able to control the bunch on cobbles together with Denmark and Belgium.

Denmark is a nation who always perform well in Paris Roubaix. Since 2012 they had a rider in top10 every year and of course they have managed to win three editions in a row with Wurtz Schmidt, Pedersen and Bak Klaris. Like always, they have several strong riders but the leader should be Mathias Skjelmose. He won a stage and GC in Ster Van Zuid Limburg where he faced some of the favorites for Sunday. Apart from Skjelmose, Denmark brings last year Gent Wevelgem winner, Ludvig Wacker and first year junior who has recently finished fifth in Ronde Van Vlaanderen, William Blume Levy. All three riders should be here in the finale and can fight for a win if they join the right move.

If we look at recent editions, Netherlands where definitely the strongest nation. In 2015 and 2016 they have finished first and second while last year Daan Hoole was second just behind phenomenon Tom Pidcock. Do they have a rider able to finish on podium ? I think it will be a bit harder this year but Bas Van Belle, third in Nokere Koerse and tenth in Gent Wevelgem should be one of the favorites. Last weekend he has raced against Evenepoel, Skjelmose and Simmons in Limburg and he was always there with the best finishing sixth overall. Axel van der Tuuk was second in Guido Reybrouck classic and did well in STer as well. He has finished right behind Skjelmsoe on second stage but slipped a little in GC as he has missed the move on queen stage. In the end he was tenth in GC as first year junior. He may surprise many on Sunday.

After two decent but not spectacular years USA brings a possible winner again. Quinn Simmons who has spent his youth years riding mostly in MTB showed great potential by winning two stages and GC in Valley of the Sun Stage Race. His first race in Europe was Gent Wevelgem and he has finished third. Last week, he has added third place overall in Ster Van Zuid Limburg just behind Skjelmsoe and Casper Van Uden. He should be a mian threat for Belgium, Denmark and Norway tomorrow.

Other names to watch: Jim Brown, Samuele Manfredi, Donovan Grondin, Marius Meyrhofer, Loris Roullier, David Sikora, Aliaz Ormel.

Who are the main favourites according to Jim Brown ?

I would say that my main rivals are going to be Skjelmorse Jensen and Evenepoel after having raced them at Ster van Limberg. Warenskjold, Manfredi and Simmons were all strong at Gent-Wevelgem too. However I think that we have got a very well rounded squad and that it could very well be any of us 6 that is first across the line on Sunday.

 I have asked Daniel Arnes to name one rider who impressed him the most:

It has to be Quinn Simmons. Impressive result in Gent Wevelgem, especially as he is a first year junior and it was his first Nations Cup race.

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Gent Wevelgem Juniors 2018 Preview

It's finally time for first Nations Cup event of the season, Grote Prijs André Noyelle (aka Gent Wevelgem U19).

History of the race started in 1983 when Reginald Vandamme won the first edition. In 1996 race was named after André Noyelle, the only Belgian Olympic gold medallist in cycling who was born in Ypres, city host of this event . On the list of previous winners you may find some big names like Meersman, Stannard and Devolder. Dutch riders have won three consecutive editions (Looij in 2013, Cornelisse in 2014 and Eenkhoorn in 2015). Last year we saw a small group sprint that decided the winner. Ludvig Wacker from Denmark won ahead of Michiel Hillen from Belgium and Davide Ferrari from Italy.

I have asked Ludvig Wacker how the race unfold last year:

Last years race didn’t go as easy as I hoped. We had some strong guys with us last year and my job was to be one of the supporting riders, but after the Kemmelberg first time I felt good. 15km before Kemmelberg for the last time I had a mechanical which meant I had to ride on the national teams reserve bike. I got back to the peloton just before Kemmelberg, but the ride back to the peloton was though, and I came into the forest of Kemmel, almost dead last, and therefore got dropped. But together with Niklas Märkl (who punctured) we rode back to the peloton and directly up to the breakaway, and with great help from Johan Langballe who was the only other remaining Danish rider in the peloton, he managed to keep the peloton away from the front group. No one really knew me in the group, but I believed that I could win in a sprint, so I didn’t hesitate, and took the win.

Ludvig Anton Wacker winning the sprint (photo: bloggen.be)

Route

Since last year the race is officially a part of Gent Wevelgem which has seven races held on the same day, from elite men to u17 women, with more then 1000 cyclists involved. Race will start and finish in Ieper and it's 117 kilometres long. The main difficulties are of course the cobbled climbs. The route is slightly harder then last year as the final climb is much closer to the finish. Riders will tackle two laps with three climbs on each: Baneberg (136 m, 1.2 Km at 6.5%, Km 92.1), Kemmelberg (158 m, 1.0 Km at 7.9%, Km 100.2) & Monteberg (93 m, 0.8 Km at 5.5%, Km 103.8). Famous Kemmelberg is the crucial point with high gradients and 600 meters of cobbles. With just 17km to go I don't expect any other scenario then the strongest guys riding away on the second lap. Or even earlier if we are going to face difficult conditions with lots of wind.

I have asked pre race favorite, Remco Evenepoel about the race:

Gent-Wevelgem is a nice but classic race. The course is pretty hard because it’s never flat. There’re always little climbs. It’s the first race on the very highest level in the Junior season so it's going be to tough. Last year I won a race with the same finish and hills (Route des Géants). So I know how hard the race will and can be. I’ll do everything to win and make the race as hard as possible. I’m already looking forward to Sunday and hopefully I’ll have a place on the podium!

Charley Calvert who was third in Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne belives that Kemmelberg will be crucial:

I rode last year but the course is very different this year. Of course the Kemmelberg is always really important, there’ll definitely be race splits there so staying in the front group will be key. 

At the moment I’m just looking to get round as I’ve been off the bike for 10 days with the flu, so this will be one of the first rides back. Fingers crossed I can fall back on my fitness base to get me to the finish. 

Who will be the main favorites according to Charley ?

Also Remco Evenepoel will be the one to watch after a solo wins at Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne and Guido Reybrouck Classic. I’ve got faith in our lads going out there too though, Will Tidball and Jim Brown will be strong over the climbs and will also be looking to get a good result .

Remco Evenepoel named riders from several nations as his main opponents:

I guess the Denish guys will be good (as they always are). But also nations as Norway, GB, Italy are always ready to race.   

Favorites 

There can be only one name to start my list of favorites. Remco Evenepoel showed amazing shape in recent weeks and is going to be a man to beat for every other rider who starts the race. Evenepoel already won three races this season including two uci rated races Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne and Guido Reybrouck Classic. Both won solo and with a solid margin. Especially his ride in Guido Reybouck Classic where he managed to bridge to the front group and then win solo by over three minutes was simply brillant. Of course as a main favorite he will be marked by pretty much everyone but I think he is strong enough to ride away on Kemmel and win again with quite a margin. Not to mention he has a very strong team behind including other possible winners as Nokere Koerse winner, Ilan Van Wilder and Vito Braet who was tenth in Kuurne and fifth in Guido Reybrouck.

Danish team brings a strong team despite missing last year's winner Ludvig Wacker who will have a different schedule this year. Marcus Hansen should be the leader as the already proved his level on cobbles finishing sixth in KBK and second in Nokere Koerse. Olivier Frederiksen did't have many chances to shine as a first year junior in uci races but he is a very talented rider with lots of wins in all youth categories in Denmark and I think it's a good moment for him to prove his level on the highest level. Also keep an eye on William Blume Levy who won time trial during last year Youth Olympics in U17 and may surprise on Sunday like Wacker did last year.

Great Britain is a another strong collective team with several cards to play. 3rd in KBK, Charley Calvert is coming back to racing after a flu so his shape is a bit of mistery. William Tidball who was sixth in KBK and Jim Brown who was sixth in GRC should be the key riders. 

Norway bring one of the most anticipated riders from last year, Soren Waerenskjold who has already sign a contract with Team Joker Icopal for next year. It's going to be his first uci race this season but if he shows up in similar shape he had in last months of 2017 season he is going to be one of the main rivals for Evenepoel. Last year the only spring classic he rode was Paris Roubaix where he finished 11th.

Netherlands is another country with strong team and several options. Ruben Buitendijk finished top10 in both Nokere Koerse and GRC and he has also won Zepperen Zepperen earlier this season while Bas Van Belle was third in Nokere Koerse and should be another name to watch.

Finally France brings Hugo Page, first year junior who won prestigious Trophee Madiot series last year and already scored a win in uci race Bernaudeau Junior last week.

Other names to watch: Quinn Simmons, Nathan Vandepitte, Louis Rouiller, Aliaz Ormzel, Samuele Manfredi, Daniel Arnes

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Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne 2018 Preview

The off season for junior is over and we can finally see some of the best riders at the start of traditional season opener in Belgium. Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne is the first uci categorized race of the season for juniors, first official race for many riders and first important test for all the big names that will test their legs at the beginning of classics period.

Despite it's just the first race of the season and the fact that on the start list we can find teams mostly from Belgium and the Netherlands the race is an important event. The list of previous winners include guys like Moreno Hofland, Adam Blythe and Geraint Thomas. Dylan Groenewegen was 2nd in 2012 as well as Jasper Philipsen in 2016. In recent editions, most of the strongest juniors looking for glory in classics started their season in Kuurne. Last year we had an interesting finale with no Belgium riders in final move. Three Danish riders and Remi Huens from France has made a final selection and Fredrik Eriksen lead out his team mate from Team Herning CK, Johan Langballe for a win. Peter Haslund was second and Huens completed the podium.

Johan Langballe shared his opinion about Kuurne:

Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne is always an exciting race for the juniors, as it is the first big race of the year. The first chance to compare your form to the best juniors in world. Last years edition was a big deal for me, and my team. It marked the start of a great year for me and often does for the winner as it is an indicator for who stuck to their winter miles and who will achieve great things the rest of the year.

I have also asked Johan how the race unfold and about his crucial move:

The race last year was mostly a race of position and nutrition. The ability to position yourself perfectly leading in to the climbs and on the narrow roads, will save energy and just give you that last percent in the final. The first 80 km last year were mostly a case of whittling down the peloton and tiring the riders with short climbs. No breakaway could get a real footing as the peloton regrouped on the descents and flat sections. The exception was on Kanarieberg, the 3rd categorized climb, where the strong riders, who were also represented in the final, battled it out on the steep sections towards the top, but nothing came of it. The next challenge was the Oude Kwaremont, which in and of itself is a tough climb, but the descent and narrow roads approaching it, results in a tough battle for position, in which more than one rider ended up in the ditch. The climb itself was ridden at a steady, but fast, pace which pulled a select group of the front, but the headwind on the descent made it tough to stay away and before the cobbled section following, we were caught. However, the selection in the peloton was apparent. Less than 50 riders were remaining. The kilometres until the final circuit were plagued with attacks left and right, but nothing seemed to stick, until a 3-rider group broke off on the second to last lap. My Team mate Frederik Eriksen, Peter Haslund and Remi Huens. The only 5-rider teams at this race meant that no team were interested to take responsibility. That meant the group opened a gap. When the peloton passed the 10 km mark, it halted for a second and I tried to breakaway. I got a gap and soloed to the leaders. In the final my teammate, Frederik Eriksen, selflessly sacrificed his own chances and rode a perfect leadout, and I finished the job by taking the win.

Johan Langablle taking a win

Route

The race is 120 km long and starts in Kuurne before heading to Oudenaarde for the most important part of the race with all the hellingen.We have a slight change in route with a new opening climb. Instead of Edelare riders will tackle Wolvenberg (32km, 780m, avg. 7.9%, max 17%)after 32km. It's a popular climb used many times in Ronde and Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and it's much harder then previously used Edelare. The next 55 kilometres is the crucial part with all the important hills that will surely split the field. Riders will tackle one after another: Stokstraat (40,3km, 1.1km, avg. 5%, max 8%), Kanarieberg (49,6km, 1km, avg. 7.7% , max 14%), Hotond  (55,8km, 2.7km, avg. 3% , max 7,5%), Oude Kwaremont (66,5km, 2.2km, avg. 4% , max 11,6%), Tiegemberg (76,4km, 750m, avg. 5.6% , max 9%) Holstraat (80,8km, 1km, avg. 5.2% , max 12%) and finally Nokereberg (88,3km, 350m, avg. 5.7% , max 7%) which ends 35 km from the finish line. After that, riders will head back to Kuurne on flat roads with one 15 kilometres lap at the end in Kuurne.

Johaned shared his opinion about the route:

The crucial points of the race are hard to point out, as it requires a rider, who knows how to look after himself, both in regard to his position in the peloton and nutritionally, as it is a long race, and most riders have not yet gotten their in-race eating schedule down. But the Kanarieberg is a great place to test the legs before the big battle on Oude Kwaremont. If the wind is in the right direction a select group might ride away over the top and on the following cobbled section. If the peloton is still together on the finishing laps, depending on how tough the race has been so far, it might be a sprint or a smaller break, but if you are in it to win it, you have to stay awake

Race profile by La Flamme Rouge

Favorites 

This year Acrog Pauwelssauzen Balen Bc riders are the main favourites to win. Remco Evenepoel is an obvious pick for me and he has already proved his level this year. Winner of Philippe Gilbert Classic who has already signed contract with Hagens Berman Axeon for 2019 won Clubkampioenschap in Rumst last weekend. He attacked after 1km and rode full distance (57,4km) solo. Finished with 3´32" gap over second rider! He may feel better on Ardennes type of races but I believe he is strong enough to ride away from everyone on cobbles. He will have a strong support with Dutch rider Casper Van Uden. First year junior impressed in u17 category wining over a dozen races in several countries. He is good enough to fight for a win in big races for juniors coming straight from u17.

It's been a tradition that Danish teams ride season opener in Belgium and usually they are in the mix for a win. Team Herning CK Junior (Johan Langballe's team) brings two strong cards. Fredrik Nybo Eriksen was already 4th last year and could be Langballe's successor. Last year he was part of crucial move that gave his team mate a win thanks to his lead out. Second option might be Jacob Hindsgaul Madsen. He won several races last year on local scene and impressed on queen stage of Course de la Paix (3rd place) before crashing out on the final stage. Same as Evenepoel, he would prefer a different type of climbs but he should be competitive on cobbles as well.

South East Cycling Team is another team that used to do well in Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne. They won 2016 (Ethan Hayter) and 2014 (James Shaw) editions. Welshman Oscar Mingay should be their leader this year even tough he might be a little too light for cobbles. He won British Junior Road series last year as a first year junior and had several top ten in Belgium local races and is yet to prove his level on international scene. So far his best result is sixth place on queen stage of Sint-Martinusprijs Kontich.

Great Britain brings a strong competitive team with several riders who may fight for a victory. They took part in international track event earlier this year in Apeldoorn showing good form at the beginning of the season. Ethan Vernon seems to be a raw diamond in terms of track racing and it will be interesting to see him on road. William Tidball might be another rider who feels better on track but last year he won Junior CiCLE Classic ridden in tough conditions. Both Vernon and Tidball were a part of team pursuit squad who won in Apledoorn. Vernon also put a tremendous ride in individual pursuit winning with six seconds gap over.. Tidball. Of course track racing has nothing to do with cobbles but early season shape for versatile rider might be enough to search a victory on Sunday.

Vito Braet is another strong contender. As a first year junior he was competitive in all the biggest spring classics. He started with 16th place in Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne before finishing 15th in Gent Wevelgem, 11th in Ronde, 18th in Roubaix and finally his best result came from E3 Harelbeke where he was ninth. As a second year junior he should be able to improve his results and fight for a win on Sunday.

Finally, Van Moer Logistics Cycling Team has two cards to play. Ilan Van Wilder was very consistent as first year junior. He has finished top ten in several hilly races including 6th place in SPIE Internationale Juniorendriedaagse and Aubel - Thimister - La Gleize. He was also second in La route des Géants where Evenepoel beat him in small group sprint. Xandres Vervloesem prefers more hilly terrain as he was 2nd in Ain Bugey Valromey Tour where he won a the last stage and also 3rd in Aubel - Thimister - La Gleize where he also won a stage as well as young rider jersey ahead of Ponsaerts and Van Wilder.

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