Soudal Quick-Step considers '60-man bunch sprint' a realistic scenario for Dwars door Vlaanderen, Bahrain changes tactics

Soudal Quick-Step has not yet won a classic this spring and is only too happy to change that on Wednesday. Two-time winner Yves Lampaert and E3 Saxo Classic revelation Casper Pedersen will be there. The leaders are Tim Merlier, who came second in Gent-Wevelgem on Sunday, and Omloop Het Nieuwsblad runner-up Paul Magnier.

Bert Van Lerberghe, Warre Vangheluwe, and Pascal Eenkhoorn complete the team, while Iljo Keisse, as sports director, will do the pre-race briefing on behalf of Jurgen Foré's team. "Dwars door Vlaanderen is not the longest one-day race of the calendar, but it has some really hard parts starting from kilometer 80, climbs coming in quick succession that will really test the riders."

Soudal Quick-Step is aiming for several scenarios with the team present. "We could see a 60-man bunch sprint at the finish, as it has happened in the past, or a small group in the fight for victory. It remains to be seen what scenario we will have, as it usually depends on the weather. We go there with a good team and we hope for a nice result again, just like in the previous races of this spring."

Bahrain Victorious is changing its strategy. Intended leader Mohoric is still not at the top level after an illness and will not be the leader in Dwars door Vlaanderen, sports director Michal Golas explains. Bahrain Victorious has not had a very good spring. "We are looking to turn our fortunes in this Classics block of racing. We know the guys are capable of better, and we want to get into the right moves in this race and come through with a good result," the Pole said in a press release.

"Fred will be the leader. Matej hasn’t been in the best shape after illness, but he will play an important role as our road captain—guiding and helping the team in key moments. We’ll need to be attentive to the moves and any splits – it’s a race that can come alive at any moment."

Vlad Van Mechelen, Robert Stannard, Andrea Pasqualon, Alberto Brutomesso, and Roman Erkamov complete the Bahrain team. Leader Wright finished tenth in Milan-Sanremo but was unsuccessful in the E3 Saxo Classic and Gent-Wevelgem. Mohoric rode one top-one hundred in a classic this season: he finished one hundredth in Milan-Sanremo.

Tim Merlier
Yves Lampaert
Paul Magnier
Bert Van Lerberghe
Casper Pedersen
Warre Vangheluwe
Pascal Eenkhoorn

Fred Wright
Matej Mohoric
Vlad Van Mechelen
Robert Stannard
Andrea Pasqualon
Alberto Bruttomesso
Roman Ermakov