The Northern Classics begin this weekend, with the E3 Prijs Vlaanderen – Harelbeke taking place on Friday, and Gent – Wevelgem on Sunday. One week later, the monumental “Tour of Flanders”, the first of the Spring Classics, begins.
The classics are often divided into the “Cobbled Classics”, famous for racing on sections of cobblestones or “pave”, and the “Ardennes classics”. The former include Gent-Wevelgem, the Tour of Flanders (also known as the Ronde van Vlaanderen) and Paris-Roubaix.
The Ardennes classics include the Amstel Gold Race (in southern Netherlands), La Flèche Wallonne and Liège–Bastogne–Liège (both Belgium). These are characterised by a succession of steep short hills, some covered in pave. In Dutch, these steep cobbled climbs are referred to as Helligen. Australians have won the Amstel Gold with Phil Anderson in 1983, Paris-Roubaix by Stuart O’Grady in 2007 and La Fleche Wallonne by Cadel Evans in 2010. Winning these races requires an exceptional ride, great team and a measure of good luck.
E3 Prijs Vlaanderen – Harelbeke
The E3 Prijs Vlaanderen – Harelbeke has become a world tour race. At time of publication, GreenEDGE Cycling Team will be made up of Baden Cooke, Jens Keukeleire, Jens Mouris, Matt Wilson, Sebastian Langeveld, Svein Tuft and Travis Meyer.
In an interview with Cyclingnews.com, GreenEDGE Director of Sport Matt White states Baden Cooke and Sebastian Langeveld are the favourites. Looking at how Cooke and Langeveld have been racing this year, with second place in Oman and TTT win in Tirreno respectively, you can understand the hype. Also significant was that Langeveld was 20 seconds behind Simon Gerrans last weekend at Milan – San Remo. Baden, finished the race, albeit nearly 10 minutes down.
But the quality doesn’t stop there. The team is comprised of seasoned professionals and big engines, as indicated by Svein Tuft’s big turn on the front at the Tierreno and Jens Keukeleire’s 10th placing in the Dwars door Vlaanderen.
With last year’s winner Fabian Cancellara in sizzling form, White said “we have to attack” to secure the win. That not easy when Cancellara can attack the attackers and then ride off their wheels.
Gent – Wevelgem
White has nominated Matthew Goss as the favourite for the GreenEDGE team in this Sunday’s race. He and Sebastian were with the peloton at Milan – San Remo, and both are in excellent form. However, this weekend’s race is more of a sprinters finish, considering the last long flat section.
GreenEDGE will therefore be covering all bases, keeping options open with Cooke and Aidis Kroupis. Aidis, who came third in a stage in the tour of Qatar, is coming in with some form. At a young age, he has a lot of experience in these types of races in this part of Europe coming from his previous team “Landbouwkrediet”.
I think Aidis will be a dark horse and one to watch.
With Tom Boonen in good form and keen for a big win it will be a tough race. The form of Cavendish is looking shaky but wearing the Rainbow jersey and with some sprint wins under his belt, he is a rider to look out for.
Peter Sagan also in excellent form and a strong rider will be in contention to bag his first win of the year.
GreenEDGE team for Gent – Wevelgem: Aidis Kruopis, Baden Cooke, Jens Mouris, Matt Goss, Matt Wilson, Sebastian Langeveld, Stuart O’Grady and Tomas Vaitkus.
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