The organisers of Gent-Wevelgem are looking to shake up the race in 2016 and beyond by taking the riders up what is said to be the hardest climb in Flanders.
It’s the Kemmelberg, but not as you know it.
The famed hill in the village of Kemmel has long been the key feature of what is often referred to as the sprinter's Classic, and is scaled twice before a lengthy and flat run-in to the finish. The cobbled road traditionally used has an average gradient of 17 per cent over less than half a kilometre. Next year, however, the race will venture over to the other side of Kemmelberg, to a road that is even steeper, for the first time in over 20 years. The first ascent will be via the traditional route up but the second will be via this steeper path, which has a maximum gradient of 23 per cent.
ADVERTISEMENT
Race director Hans De Clercq explained to Cyclingnews that the decision was motivated by a combination of factors, including the fact that the cobblestones have recently been relaid, and the historical significance of that road being used the first time the Kemmelberg was included in the race, 60 years ago. However, they also wanted to make the race a more finely balanced affair, not necessarily so straightforward for the purer sprinters, who have largely dominated in recent years.
“It’s maybe going to change the race a little bit. From the top of the Kemmel, there is still 34km to the finish, so I believe that the strong finishers like [Alexander] Kristoff or [John] Degenkolb, or maybe also [André] Greipel, can survive the Kemmel and go to the finish in Wevelgem for a sprint,” said De Clercq.
“But on the other hand I think that if the Classics riders are 100 per cent motivated, then they can do an effort over there that can have a big consequence on the race.
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest News http://ift.tt/1TbDduM
No comments:
Post a Comment