The classics seasons kicks off this weekend with Omloop Het Nieuwsblad taking place on Saturday, and the following day will see the riders line up in the UCI 1.1 Kuurne Brussels Kuurne.

Four Irish riders are set to line up in Sunday’s race. Sam Bennett is listed amongst the starters for Bora Argon 18 team and will hope to build on his winning start to the season. Bennett had some impressive results in the classics last season including 5th in Scheldeprijs and 12th in Ghent Wevelgem.

Connor McConvey is set to make his debut for his new Team 3M team, but is the only Irish rider starting for the team. Jack Sadler is in the team line up for UCI 1.2 Ster van Zwolle which takes place on Saturday.

Conor Dunne and Jack Wilson are due to start for the An Post Chain Reaction team. Sean Downey was the best finisher for the team in last year’s race in 71st place. The team’s best prospect for a good result might lie with new signing Aidis Kruopis. The Lithuanian has had some top results in Belgian races in previous years, including wins in Schaal Sels and a stage of the Tour of Belgium.

Last year’s edition was won by Tom Boonen (Etixx Quick Step) and the Belgian will be amongst the favourites. His team mate Mark Cavendish can also be expected to do well, having won the race in 2012.

Others who could contend for the victory are Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal), Alexander Kristoff (Team Katusha), Ian Stannard (Team Sky), Philippe Gilbert (BMC Racing) and his team mate Greg van Avermaet.

The riders will cover 197 kilometres on a course which takes in a number of Flandrian climbs including Oude Kwaremont, Kruisberg and Nokereberg.

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