The sprinters, including the Belgian Tim Merlierwinner of the last two editions, as top favorite, was called to battle by the 31 sections of walls and cobblestones that make up the 78th Danilith Nokere Koersea one-day flamenco semi-classical held this Wednesday with a route of 188 km.
No break in between Deinze and Nokere, where sprinters are likely to play for victory. Many specialists chose the Belgian event just 3 days from Milan San Remo, which on Saturday puts the first “monument” of the year at stake.
Tim Merlier (Soudal Alpecin), with 6 wins this season, is the big favorite to achieve a treble, but the opponents are many and of a high level. In the beginning there will be specialists like Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin), Arvid de Kleijn (Tudor), Fabio Jakobsen (DSM), Álvaro Hodeg (UAE), Milan Menten (Lotto) and Pascal Ackermann (Israel).
For this test, Spanish cycling will provide the presence of Euskaltel Euskadiwhich will consist of Jon Aberasturi, Xabier Berasategi, Xabier Cañellas, López de Abetxuko, Gotzon Martin, Unai Zubeldia and Xabier Isasa.
The key to the route is in Nokereberg cobblestone ramp, having to climb 4 times, near the finish line. The cobbled sections total 25 km.
To begin, the peloton will tackle 82 kilometers that include the passes of Katteberg, Varent and Hellestraat, to continue to Holstraat and Petegemberg (520 meters at 7.8 percent). Then it’s time to climb the Fabriekstraat, before climbing the Nokereberg for the first time (350 meters at 5.8 and a maximum of 7.3).
The challenge will continue over 3 laps of the 31.3 kilometer circuit filled with cobblestone sections. Here the Nokereberg and Lange Aststraat are in action, where the race can be decided by avoiding the sprint. If not, the sprinters have something to say.
Kopecky, favorite girl; Movistar, with Emma Norsgaard
On the same day, Wednesday, the fifth edition of the women’s race will also be held with the Belgian Lotte Kopecky as a candidate. The World Champion and recent Strade Bianche champion will wear the SD Worx stripes, with the Dutchwoman also claiming passage Lorena Wiebes. Both are the last two flamenco competition winners.
For this test on cobblestones, Movistar will show a powerful team to build Emma Norsgaard, Sheyla Gutiérrez, Floortje Mackaij, Arlenis Sierra, Laura Ruiz and Lucía Ruiz.
The race consists of 127 km between Deinze and Nokere and offers around twenty cobbled sections, ten scoring climbs and the usual tension and nerves of every race on Flemish soil.
The stage consists of a long first loop, with climbs on Lange Ast (400m at 5%, paved), Hellestraat, Holstraat, Petegemberg and Fabriekstraat, and a shorter double loop (31.3 kilometers), combining Lange Ast and some paved sections including the Nokereberg (three steps; 350m at 7%), urban and cobbled climb, symbol of the test, where it ends and usually involves a sprint.
Source: La Verdad
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