Last year Jan Bakelants won the hilly one-day race GP de Wallonie while riding as a member of a strong Belgian national team. On Wednesday he will try to defend his title when he lines up as leader of a strong Omega Pharma-Quick Step team.

OPQS has announced the selection for Desselgem Koerse, a one-day race on Tuesday, Sept. 16th, and GP de Wallonie, a one-way race on Wednesday, Sept. 17th.

“It’s a difficult race with an up and down parcours, and with a few Cotes (climbs) that can stay in the legs of the riders in the final," Sport Director Rik Van Slycke said about GP de Wallonie. "Most of the time the race has been decided along the climb of la Citadelle de Namur, a symbolic place for cycling in Wallonie. Last year we did well with two riders in the top 10.

"The winner of last year was Jan Bakelants, who will be part of our squad in this year's edition. Those kind of uphill finishes are perfect for a rider with his skills. We have a good team around him, with other guys able to support him or go for an individual result. We are looking forward to this race.”

OPQS for Desselgem Koers

Gianluca Brambilla (ITA)
Thomas De Gendt (BEL)
Andrew Fenn (GBR)
Iljo Keisse (BEL)
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck (BEL)
Stijn Vandenbergh (BEL)

OPQS for GP de Wallonie

Jan Bakelants (BEL)
Gianluca Brambilla (ITA)
Thomas De Gendt (BEL)
Kevin De Weert (BEL)
Andrew Fenn (GBR)
Iljo Keisse (BEL)
Zdenek Stybar (CZE)
Petr Vakoc (CZE)
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck (BEL)
Stijn Vandenbergh (BEL)