On Sunday, Intermarché-Circus-Wanty concluded its cobble classics campaign with a top ten in Paris-Roubaix. During the next two weeks, the team of Jean-François Bourlart will continue with the Ardennes classics.
The World Team will participate in the Brabantse Pijl (Wednesday 12/04), Amstel Gold Race (Sunday 16/04), Flèche Wallonne (Wednesday 19/4) and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, in which the Walloon World Team achieved its first podium in a Monument last year.
For these four classics, a group of nine pro riders will be divided in selections of seven men: Lilian Calmejane, Rui Costa, Dries De Pooter, Kobe Goossens, Tom Paquot, Lorenzo Rota, Dion Smith, Loïc Vliegen and Georg Zimmermann.
This Saturday, Circus-ReUz-Technord will be at the start of the U23 version of Liège-Bastogne-Liège. The six riders who just concluded the first stage race of the season will again race under the direction of Kévin Van Melsen : Francesco Busatto, Alexy Faure, Tim Rex, Dylan Vandenstorme, Jelle Vermoote and Obie Vidts.
But before, Busatto and Vermoote join Calmejane, De Pooter, Paquot, Smith and Vliegen in the Brabantse Pijl this Wednesday, which will be ridden on its traditional course between Leuven and Overijse. After 120 kilometer, the riders will start four laps with the following climbs: Hagaard, Hertstraat (cobbles), Moskesstraat (cobbles), Holstheide and the S-turn leading to the finish in Overijse.
« This Wednesday I'll be at the start of a Belgian race for the first time since 2021. Moreover, wearing the shirt of a Belgian team motivates me even more. Everywhere in the world, team Intermarché-Circus-Wanty is highly appreciated. But the next two weeks will be even more special as we will be very close to the fans who usually encourage us from behind their television screen when we are racing abroad. The fans know that we are accessible for them, always available to sign autographs or pose for pictures, offering them nice souvenirs. Wearing the colors of a team that gathers sympathy makes me happy. »
« For the first time in my career, I will combine the four Ardennes classics in the same season. It is an advantage to stay in Belgium for two weeks, because in these races it is important to know the roads well. I'm especially thinking of the Amstel Gold Race. You have to analyze all details on the course and also know how you need to race in such an event. To optimize our preparation, we scheduled several course recons. »
« In the Brabantse Pijl there are strategically more options than in the Flèche Wallonne or in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, in which the scenario is almost entirely known in advance. This pleases me. I also know this you can never give up in this kind of races. Especially this Wednesday, because a lot of rain and wind are expected. I hope to be in the front, even though it's difficult to say how I feel right now after a difficult Tour of the Basque Country and a crash in the opening stage. »
« So far, I'm satisfied with my first months of the season. I finished several times in the top twenty of one day races and even in Paris-Nice. My different breakaways and sixteenth place in the final classification gave me confidence. I know I can achieve a remarkable result. We'll see if it is already possible in the Ardennes classics the next weeks. No matter what, I'm ready to sacrifice for my team! »
