"Of the 170 riders at the start, maybe 100 think they can become champions" - Serge Pauwels foresees exciting battle at Belgian National Championships

The Belgian National Championship road race looks set to be one of the most hotly contested races this weekend. National coach Serge Pauwels believes almost anyone could emerge victorious.

"The Belgian Championships is a mandatory competition in Belgium," explains Pauwels. "Abroad, the top riders or the riders who go to the Tour sometimes skip the national championship in order not to take any risks. But not here. That's why they are often open competitions. Of the 170 riders at the start, maybe 100 think they can become champions."

The likes of Wout van Aert, Remco Evenepoel, Jasper Philipsen and Tim Merlier will all be present, leading to a diverse field full of quality riders. "All the big teams have a sprinter, but all those leaders also have teammates who can move along in the long break," Pauwels continues. "You also have smaller teams, such as AG2R with Van Avermaet, the Naesens and Dewulf, who don't have sprinters. They have to race offensively, because they can't wait for a mass sprint."

"It could be said that it is indeed quite dangerous. Riders who go to the Tour do not like to take risks in the weeks before. They do not descend via the cobblestones, but via the narrow path," he concludes. "If the passages through the Kemmelberg provide a fantastic course, we will say: sublime that it was in it. But if someone has to miss the Tour due to a fall, then that is very sour."