Following the kick-off of the Holy Week of cycling in Flanders with the Classic Brugge-De Panne on Wednesday, Intermarché-Wanty continues a series of four other World Tour classics over the next ten days, starting with a long weekend consisting of the E3 Classic on Friday (28/03) and Ghent-Wevelgem on Sunday (30/03).
Nine days before the Tour of Flanders, the Flemish Ardennes are already the epicenter of the cycling world, as the E3 Classic includes several cobbled sectors and seventeen of the Monument’s most famous climbs, spread over the 209-kilometer course around Harelbeke. After 90 kilometers of racing from La Houppe, the ascents follow one another, notably the Kanarieberg, the Côte de Trieu, the Taaienberg, and the combination of the Paterberg and the Oude Kwaremont at the start of the final hour of the race.
Biniam Girmay, winner of Gent-Wevelgem 2022, is competing in his first races of the season on Belgian soil. The fourteenth of Milan-Sanremo last Saturday is participating in both events alongside Vito Braet, Hugo Page, Jonas Rutsch, Roel van Sintmaartensdijk, and the experienced Adrien Petit, who will participate in Gent-Wevelgem for the twelfth time. Taco van der Hoorncompletes the selection for the E3 Classic on Friday. For Gent-Wevelgem, the selection led by Aike Visbeek, Dimitri Claeys, and Adriaan Helmantel is reinforced by Laurenz Rex.
“Every time I stand on the start podium, the announcer brings up my 2022 Ghent-Wevelgem victory. It's amazing how that win still resonates with people even after three years. There's a special story behind that success that always brings a smile to my face. I was actually scheduled for La Roue Tourangelle that day, but after a strong showing in my first E3 Classic, we made a last-minute change – and then it was a winning decision! It was a huge honor for me and the team. I'm really looking forward to returning to the Flemish Classics, especially because I feel so good and fresh right now. I was satisfied about my performance in Milano-Sanremo, with strong legs on the Cipressa and the Poggio. Also Friday’s E3 Classic has its key moments like the Paterberg. But honestly, you need to be ready to fight every second because, as we saw last year with Mathieu van der Poel's early attack, it will be full gas from the moment we hit La Houppe. The parcours and race scenario of Ghent-Wevelgem are different. I have experience in different circumstances now. My win three years ago was in beautiful weather with a controlled start before the intense hill zone. Last year, the strong winds in the Moeren meant it was 'all hands on deck' from the beginning, creating an immediate selection. I’m really looking forward to returning. And I'm also excited about racing on my birthday in Dwars door Vlaanderen and soaking up the incredible atmosphere at the Tour of Flanders."
