PREVIEW | Baloise Belgium Tour 2023

Preview. From the 14th to 18th of June the riders take on the Baloise Belgium Tour, a race that is very popular among those preparing for the national championships, Tour de France but also the stage for an internal battle among the vast Belgian peloton.

With just under 1000 meters of climbing, the rolling opening stage of the Baloise Belgium Tour will take the riders through a four-lap circuit in Scherpenheuvel-Zichem where the first yellow jersey will be taken, likely in a bunch sprint. Stage 2 of the race sees the riders head towards the Atlantic ocean and the pan-flat roads of western Belgium. From Merelbeke to Knokke-Heist, the sprinters will likely have another opportunity in a day that can be dangerous with it's exposure to the wind.

Stage 3 of the race should be the most crucial one for the overall classification, as meaningful gaps can be created in the individual time-trial. Pan-flat, but in 15 kilometers it is possible to take quite a lot of time for such a small race. It may not decide the race, but into the hilly day there will be a clear set of rider who will have the advantage.

Stage 4 is as explosive as it could be. The town of Durbuy hosts the start and finish to this hilly day and the whole stage consists of a circuit around it's rolling hills. 2Km at 6% and 1Km at 6% will are the details of the two main climbs in the circuit that come with around 10 kilometers to go, but the finale itself is tough with the final 900 meters featuring ramps of over 10% towards the line. The final day of racing sees the riders back into sprinter country, this time in the capital of Belgium and the headquarters of the European Union. Stage 5 of the Baloise Belgium Tour should end in a bunch sprint in the city of Bruxelles.

*** Mathieu van der Poel
** Thibau Nys, Yves Lampaert
* Jasper Stuyven, Florian Vermeersch, Rasmus Tiller, Vincenzo Albanese

Pick: Mathieu van der Poel