Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde

Mar 21
cyclical

A little like the misleadingly-monikered Gent-Wevelgem which pays only a cursory homage to the places named, Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde is only one day not three, and starts in Bruges before winding its coastal way beside the North Sea for two finishing circuits linking De Panne and Koksijde.

One of three new additions to the Women’s World Tour this season, Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde is among the longer events on the calendar. Factor in the possibility of strong winds, miserable weather and tricky cobbled road sections and you have all the ingredients for a cocktail of confusion.

The course

151 kilometers of hurt lie in wait for the squads on Thursday 22 March. Things kick off in the Grote Markt in the center of Bruges, formerly the start point of the Tour of Flanders. The riders face a south-westerly start, before turning north-west to the coast at Blankenberge, then tracing the shore south to Oostende.

The race turns inland to Schore, Avekappelle and Alveringem, before heading for the sea once more for two circuits around De Panne and Koksijde.

The more physical – and more Dutch/Belgian squads – anticipate forming echelons and forcing the weaker teams and riders into the gutter. So, we can expect to see Boels-Dolmans, Waowdeals and Sunweb to the fore.

The route barely scrapes beyond 20 meters above sea level, so it’s hardly a race for the climbers. This should be fast and furious, almost certainly end in a bunch sprint.

As a new event, it’s hard to be certain exactly what will happen but the cobbles, weather and nerves are likely to play as big a part as any tactics.

 

The contenders

Current Women’s World Tour leader Kasia Niewiadoma will skip this event with the Ronde van Vlaanderen and the Ardennes Classics on the horizon. However, her Canyon-SRAM team have been excellent so far this season: Alexis Ryan is back to lead the line, supported by Tiff Cromwell.

Boels-Dolmans look like missing both Anna van der Breggen and Chantal Blaak, but will have Amy Pieters in charge.

Less mentioned so far, but a strong bet for the win, will be Lotta Lepisto for Cervelo-Bigla, who thrives in races like this. Among the other sprinters backed by powerful teams are Jolien D’Hoore and her Michelton-Scott squad, Chloe Hosking for Ale Cipollini, and Lisa Brennauer for Wiggle-High5.

Sunweb have Ellen Van Dijk, Lucinda Brand and Coryn Rivera, while Virtu Cycling bring Het Nieuwsblad victor Christina Siggaard. Another possible outsider may be the talented Sheila Gutierrez for Cylance.