Gent Wevelgem 2019 Preview

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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 have witnessed a breakaway of three strong riders who managed to keep the gap over peloton for the whole race and sprinted for a victory in Ieper. Samuele Manfredi won ahead of Søren Wærenskjold and Quinn Simmons. Remco Evenepoel was eleventh and it was probably his biggest defeat last season.

2018 podium (photo: directvelo)

Route

Race profile by @laflammerouge

Race will start and finish in Ieper and it's 120,5 kilometers long. The main difficulties are of course the cobbled climbs. Riders will tackle two laps with three climbs on each: Baneberg (136 m, 1.2 Km at 6.5%),  Kemmelberg (158 m, 1.0 Km at 7.9%) and Monteberg (93 m, 0.8 Km at 5.5%). Famous Kemmelberg is the crucial point with high gradients and 600 meters of cobbles. The second ascent of Kemmelberg crests with 31 kilometers to go. We can expect some crucial moves there but the last 27 kms after Monteberg are flat which may help some dropped riders to come back to the main group. The race scenario depends on weather conditions. If we are going to have strong winds and some rain then we can expect small group to fight for a win. With good weather conditions we may even see a group sprint of 20-30 riders.

Favorites

Great Britain is the strongest team at the start and also the most successful one on cobbles this season. They have four strong cards to play and we can expect them to try control the race and keep as many options as possible likely until second Kemmelberg or even the last kilometers. Paris Roubaix 2018 winner, Lewis Askey has already finished fourth in Guido Reybrouck Classic and sixth in Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne despite some bad luck. Samuel Watson won Guido Reybrouck Classic just a week ago and was also eighth in Paris Roubaix last year. Leo Hayter was fourth in Kuurne while Ben Tulett, cyclocross world champion, started his road season with eleventh place in Bernaudeau Junior. Each of those can win tomorrow and the road will probably decide who they will ride for.

I have asked Samuel Watson to share his thoughts about the race:

I haven’t actually yet ridden the route as I didn’t race this race last year. I am traveling to Belgium tomorrow and on Saturday we will do a recce of the race. Which then we will know everything we need to know about the route. I have never been in a junior race where the bunch sprint is going for the win, a break has always been up the road and I know last year the winning move went very early last year so possibly that could happen this year to. In junior races there are lost of people in the race who are capable and are going for the win so I don’t really have a list of favorites for the race.

Netherlands brings their best team as well with several cards to play. So far, Capser Van Uden seems to be the strongest as he has one the most important race so far, Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne with a strong sprint from a group of favorites. Bodi del Grosso is the most consistent rider on cobbled this year as he was up there with the best in each of three races he entered: third in Kuurne, fifth in Nokere Koerse and fifteenth in Bernaudeau Junior. Axel van der Tuuk had no luck this year so far and is eager to prove that his great results as first year junior wasn't just a luck.

Quinn Simmons is going to ride for the first time in Europe this year in Gent Wevelgem but it shouldn't be an issue for him as last year he was already third in this year. He was racing against the pro's earlier this season in USA and score some notable results including stage in in Redlands Classic. One of the strongest riders at the start tomorrow with a stron team backing him.

Quinn Simmons shared his thoughts as well:

Last year we made and early break that was out for 110k. I do not think that will be possible again. We were able to do recon today and I think that any of the main climbs could be critical depending on how the course is raced. For favorites it is hard to say because this is the First Nations cup of the season but I believe the Danish and Italian teams will be good as always and the Netherlands with Casper van Uden already showing very good form this year. For me I hope to ride a safe race and hope for good legs. It’s my first euro race of the year and we just flew over so still some jet lag but we will see how things play out.

Belgium is not as strong as usual but still have several strong riders that worth a mention. Alex Vandenbulcke was ninth here last year and showed good shape in first few races of this season including fourth place in Nokere Koerse. Other notable starters are probably first year juniors, Ramses Debruyne who finished sixth in Guido Reybrouck and 15th in Kuurne and Arnaud De Lie who is yet to prove his talent in junior category but considering how strong he was in cadets, big result is coming sooner or later.

I have Asked Alex about his thoughts before the race:

Well last year was amazing, i attacked before the second time Kemmelberg and then Remco Evenepoel joined me. He rode to a small group where I could sprint for seventh place. I did a recon, but I know the place its only 50 km form my home. I think every part will be crucial because there will be some wind. But Kemmelberg will be the most crucial part. The favorites are Lewis Askey and Casper van Uden and in general Dutch and English riders. I hope to do well like last year but it is always difficult to be better then a year before.

Italy is always strong in nations cup events but their leaders, Andrea Piccolo and Antonio Tiberi are more suited to hilly classics. But considering how strong both are, I wouldn't rule them out for tomorrow. Especially Piccolo is already in great shape and has two wins this year in Italy.

France brings Hugo Page who already won two races this season and finished tenth in Bernaudeau Junior. Antonin Corvaisier was second in Kuurne and seventh in Bernaudeau Junior. He also won Trophée Louison Bobet in France earlier this year. Both French leaders are suited to this type of races and Corvaisier is very fast on the line. If a group arrives together in Ieper he will be one of the favorites.

Surprisingly, Spain brings a very strong and competitive team. Carlos Rodriguez is their most successful junior rider in many years who already managed to finish sixth in Paris Roubaix last year. He was also fourteenth in Gent Wevelgem. He is a strong versatile rider who is capable to do well in almost every terrain. As a second year junior now, we can expect Carlos to improve his results. Other notable started is Juan Ayuso, another wunderkid from u17 category. So far this year, he was the only one who can match the domination of Contador's team for which Rodriguez is racing. If someone is going to surprise everyone tomorrow, it may be Ayuso.

Other notable starters: Benjamin Hertz, Robin Skivild, Michel Hessmann, Finley Newmark, Sakarias Koller Løland, Michał Gałka and Michał Jaskot.

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Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne 2019 preview

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The off season for juniors is finally over and we can witness 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 most of the big names aiming for results in 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 have witnessed the first uci win by Remco Evenepoel who attacked win 70km to go, dropped Ilan Van Wilder and finished solo with 40 seconds gap. Jacob Hindsgaul from Denmark was second managing to break away from big group on final kilometers. Charley Calvert from Great Britain won the sprint for third place.

Route

Race profile by La Flamme Rouge

The race is 123 km long this year and starts in Kuurne before heading to Oudenaarde for the most important part of the race with all the hellingen. We have a new opening climb which is placed instead of Wolvenberg. The climb is  Volkegemberg (33km, 1000m, avg. 5%, max 12 %) and it's slightly more difficult then the opening one from last year. Apart from the, the route follow the same hills as usual. The next 55 kilometers 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 kilometers lap at the end in Kuurne.

After doing the recon ride, Leo Hayter shared his thoughts about the route:

We rode the course earlier today. The wind didn’t seem too strong, so I think the race will be made between the Canarieberg and the Kwaremont, both of them having a pretty narrow lead in will cause some problems though. The kilometers following the Kwaremont are pretty open and the long cobble section before the feed should mix things up.

The race scenario is pretty similar every year. The strongest teams and riders tries to split the field on every climb. The famous Oude Kwaremont is the place where usually the crucial moves happen. The flat part after the climbs may or may not give a chance for dropped riders to come back. What I don't expect to happen is the bigger group arrive together and sprint for a victory. Even if we have a bigger group after the climbs, some riders will be able to break away and hold the gap over the chasers.

Favorites

Evenepoel's team, Acrog Pauwels - Sauzen - Balen BC brings a strong lineup with several cards to play. My personal favorite is one of the juniors to watch in 2019, Casper Van Uden, who was already mentioned in my preview last year. Casper might be a wild guess as his best results last year came from TTs and hills but I believe we may witness his breakthrough on cobbles right on the start of the season. Last year he was in the main group finishing 24th. Enrico Dhaeye and Arjan Poleij did well as J1 winning smaller races in Belgium. They should be able to provide a strong support to Casper and may as well try their own luck. Finally team brings Robin Orins, one of the best u17 riders in Belgium last year. Let's see if he can shine in juniors right from the start.

Spiderking Soenens U19 Team should be one of the strongest on the start who was also part of my juniors to watch, Axel van der Tuuk rode full classics season last year, won E3 Harelbeke and finished second in Guido Reybrouck Classic. Considering how strong is his team, Axel is one of the favorites for Sunday. Tom Portsmouth won several races in Belgium last year in u17 category while Bodi Del Grosso already has scored a uci win from last year winning the opening stage in Grudziądz in Poland where he has also finished sixth overall.

I have asked Axel about his opinion and also how the 2018 race unfold from his perspective:

Last year was my first race in u19, so i was a bit nervous. It was nice weather, so very hectic from the beginning. I awaited all the mountains and got in the big first group, behind Evenepoel. Got cramped in the final, so no good result, 37th i think?

This year will be totally different, the weather will play a big role, hard wind and lots of rain. I think this will be the biggest thing to make the difference, i hope for a very hard race. Real classic weather, i like it!

As usual in season opener, we have several teams from Great Britain. The national team brings several strong cards to play including Leo Hayter, younger brother of Ethan who is yet to prove his talent is uci races. Last year he had several podium places in Belgium but also managed to win two stages in Junior Tour of Assen finishing fourth in GC. He also won a TT and finished third in Boucles de L'Oise. Finally, he was second in Junior Tour of Wales where he has also won the TT. He is one of the riders who had very good first year as junior but are yet to prove their talent in the most prestigious races.

I have asked Leo what he expect from the race and who does he see as a the strongest cards to play from Great Britain:

I didn’t have much experience with road racing last year so didn’t get to race any of the early season classics, so KBK will be my first. Our recon ride will be on Saturday looking at the key sections of the race, although I did a few Interclubs and Kermesses in the Kortrijk area last year, so it shouldn’t be all new. As a big season opener it will definitely be messy in the start. Weaker riders will struggle on the opening climbs but I think the big splits will happen on / after the Kwaremont. I wouldn’t be surprised if Lewis Askey follows team South Easts previous success in the classics and takes the win. Finley Newmark was consistent throughout last year also. Although a team mainly comprised of 1st year junior riders, the GB team is strong and all of us are capable of winning on the right day.

South East Region team brings one of the juniors to watch and one of the biggest race favorites, Lewis Askey. Paris Roubaix winner from last year should use his experience from last year when he  tried his luck several times during the race and also helped to lead out Charley Clavert who finished third. This year he will have a strong support and should ride for a win if nothing bad happens.

I have asked Lewis about his opinion and also how the 2018 race unfold from his perspective:

Being the first race of the year it was a pretty crazy start. I put myself in the right places and didn’t get caught up in any crashes. The pack seemed to thin out quicker than I expected with the short climbs early on. These sort of short sharp hills suit me so I was feeling good. I think the Kwaremont is going to be important; the wining break could go over it but I think the race is more easily lost here than won. Last year I was off the front over it but we got brought back on the fast open decent after it. Coming into the finish last year I was trying to get away on the flat but nothing was getting away so I committed to leading my teammate Charley Calvert out. He won the bunch sprint for 3rd from it & I just rolled in at back of main bunch. This year I’m just going into it with the idea of enjoying it & seeing what happens. I’m racing for south east for this race so won’t have a specific role. All I’m expecting is a pretty sketchy start and some hard racing!

Arnaud De Lie is one of the favorites despite racing for the first time as a junior. Last year he won 13 races including two stages and second overall in West-Vlaanderen Cycling Tour. He is very strong rider with great TT and sprint and should be able to compete against the best juniors right from the start. 

Milan Fretin should lead Zannatta Galloo Team. He was already ninth in both Paris Roubaix and E3 Harelbeke last year and scored two top ten places on stages in Ster Van Zuid Limburg. Branko Huys was known mostly thanks to his results in TT but I believe he should be able to compete with the best on cobbles as well. Last year he skipped the classics apart from Nokere Koerse but later was eleventh in Driedaagse van Axe proving his ability to ride in this type of races.

Last name on my list is Hidde van Veenendaal who rode the classics campaign last year but didn't manage to get any notable results. He won three races in Belgium later the season and scored several decent results in uci races including second overall and two top ten places on stages in Poland in Grudziądz. He was also eleventh overall and fifth on the final queen stage in Driedaagse van Axel.

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