The Irish teams An Post-Chain Reaction and Aqua Blue Sport are amongst the teams which have been invited to the inaugural edition of the one-day race Dwars door West-Vlaanderen ‘Johan Museeuw Classics’.
The UCI 1.1 race which takes place on 5 March replaces the De Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen which has ceased to exist. The three-day race has been cancelled due to organisational difficulties according to race director Peter Brackez.
The new 203.6-kilometre race starts at the Fishmarket in Nieuwpoort on the North Sea coast before heading south through Ypres and Poperinge where the riders will face numerous climbs near the French border including the Goeberg, Rodeberg, Monteberg, Kemmelberg and Scherpenberg.
The riders head back north after these climbs to take on four 13-kilometre laps around Ichtegem which includes the climbs of the Keiberg and Catteberg and some cobbled sections.
In addition to the An Post-Chain Reaction and Aqua Blue Sport teams, amongst the other teams invited are five WorldTour teams – LottoNL-Jumbo, FDJ, BMC Racing, Lotto-Soudal and Quick-Step Floors. Ten UCI Pro Continental teams and six UCI Continental teams will line up at the start.
The race will also be broadcast live on television channel VTM.
