Preview Bredene Koksijde Classic 2025 | Jakobsen and Groenewegen in race upgraded by Nokere

Saturday is Milan-Sanremo, but cycling fans will also find plenty to enjoy from Wednesday to Friday. After Nokere Koerse (Wednesday) and GP Denain (Bredene Koksijde Classic), it is time for the sprinters on Friday in the Bredene Koksijde Classic. And a lot of them will be present. IDLProCycling.com gives you a detailed preview!

If you look at the list of winners of the Bredene Koksijde Classic, you will know what kind of race this is: one for sprinters. Tim Merlier and Gerben Thijssen, among others, have already won the former Handzame Classic. Last season, the Arkéa - B&B Hotels Italian Luca Mozzato, who later also finished second in the Tour of Flanders, managed to dominate the race.

Because of the tougher finish in Nokere Koerse this year, sprinters are even more focused on the Bredene Koksijde Classic. Who will take the title?

Practical information Bredene Koksijde Classic 2025

• Friday, March 21, 2025
• Bredene - Koksijde (200.9 km)
• Participants
• Classification: 1.Pro

In this article

• Latest winners
  
• Course, weather and times
• Favorites
• TV information

Latest winners Bredene Koksijde Classic 2024

2024 Luca Mozzato
2023 Gerben Thijssen
2022 Pascal Ackermann
2021Tim Merlier
2020 Not ridden
2019 Pascal Ackermann
2018 Álvaro José Hodeg
2017 Kristoffer Halvorsen
2016 Erik Baska
2015 Gianni Meersman
2014 Luka Mezgec

Course, weather and times Bredene Koksijde Classic 2025

The 201-kilometer course between - yes, you guessed it - Bredene and Koksijde in Belgium can be broken down into two parts. The beginning and end are flat, offering opportunities for the sprinter teams to control the race. A breakaway group can build up a significant lead in the initial phase to increase their slim chances of success.

Two hills, including some well-known ones, are along the way: the Baneberg and Kemmelberg. Of course, they will also be part of the program on Sunday, March 30, in Gent-Wevelgem. In theory, this is where some teams can make their move.

The pure sprinters could be dropped on those climbs. The problem is that it is still about a hundred kilometers to the finish. A bunch sprint is a logical outcome, although you always have to pay attention around De Moeren - an area that lends itself perfectly to an echelon spectacle. In total, three local laps must be completed in and around Koksijde. However, these are laps without significant obstacles, so the chance of a mass sprint is and remains extremely high.

Weather
On Friday, it is around 17 degrees Celsius and cloudy. There is a moderate wind, but in De Moeren, this can sometimes affect the selection. Will it also be like this on Friday?

Times
Start: 06:20 AM EST
Finish: around 10:30 AM EST

Favorites Bredene Koksijde Clasic 2025

As we mentioned, several sprinters are participating on the Belgian coast. For example, Dylan Groenewegen of Jayco AlUla is still stuck on that annoying zero. With his regular train, consisting of Elmar Reinders, Luka Mezgec, and Max Walscheid, this could be a good opportunity. Fellow sprinter Fabio Jakobsen is in the same boat on behalf of Picnic PostNL, which also has Tobias Lund Andresen. He, too, wants to win this season.

There are also men in form. Take Cofifdis's Milan Fretin, who was the season's revelation until he crashed in the Cricquelion GP. Matteo Moschetti (Q36.5) has also already recorded several victories this season. We also consider them to be among the favorites, as are Alberto Dainese (Tudor), Gerben Thijssen (Intermarché-Wanty), and the Arkéa-B&B Hotels duo of Arnaud Démare and defending champion Luca Mozzato.

Simon Dehairs (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Luke Lamperti (Soudal Quick-Step), and Tim Torn Teutenberg (Lidl-Trek) will defend the interests of the major WorldTour teams in the Bredene Koksijde Classic. UAE Emirates-XRG does not appear to have a real sprinter at the start, so it is possible that they will try to cause havoc in the hills and on the windy sections with Florian Vermeersch, among others.

XDS-Astana will again go for its strategy with Cees Bol, Max Kanter, and Aaron Gate. Israel-Premier Tech also has two fast men, Hugo Hofstetter and Ethan Vernon. Other sprinters include Erlend Blikra, Stian Fredheim (Uno-X), Jason Tesson (TotalEnergies), Enrico Zanoncello (VF Group-Bardiani), and David Dekker of Euskaltel-Euskadi.

Who are the favorites for the Bredene Koksijde Classic 2025, according to IDLProCycling.com?

Top favorites: Dylan Groenewegen (Jayco AlUla) and Alberto Dainese (Tudor)
Outsiders: Milan Fretin (Cofidis), Fabio Jakobsen (Picnic PostNL), Gerben Thijssen (Intermarché-Wanty), Matteo Moschetti (Q36.5) and Arnaud Démare (Arkéa - B&B Hotels)
Long shots: Luca Mozzato (Arkéa - B&B Hotels), Simon Dehairs (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Luke Lamperti (Soudal Quick-Step), Tim Torn Teutenberg (Lidl-Trek), Aaron Gate, Max Kanter, Cees Bol (XDS-Astana), Elia Viviani (Lotto), Hugo Hofstetter (Israel-Premier Tech) and Erlend Blikra (Uno-X)

TV broadcast Bredene Koksijde Classic 2025

The Bredene Koksijde Classic is traditionally broadcast live on television. The Belgian one-day race can be watched on Sporza (on VRT1), Eurosport 1, and via the digital channels of the international sports channel (HBO Max). The broadcast starts at around 08:15 AM EST.

Read also

Participants Milan-Sanremo 2025 | Provisional start lists released: Pogacar knows his teammates, no Laporte

Preview GP Denain 2025 | A great cobbled opportunity for Del Grosso and Visma | Lease a Bike youngsters

Preview: Milan-Sanremo 2025 | The only monument where the weather report matters more than the legs

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Get every week the latest news about CYCLING in your inbox!

Subscribe