One year ago André Greipel won the Brussels Cycling Classic and finished second in the GP de Fourmies. This year he hopes for a similarly successful run when he leads Lotto Belisol in both weekend races.

This weekend two Europe Tour races are on the program of Lotto Belisol. Saturday it’s the second edition of the Brussels Cycling Classic, the successor of Paris-Brussels, and on Sunday it’s the GP de Fourmies.
 
The Brussels Cycling Classic is 201.7 kilometers long. The course has changed. There are some extra loops, now the riders have to cover nineteen hills. The last one comes at just under fifty kilometers from the finish. Particularly three hills that come back a few times are important: Smeysberg (5x), Langestraat (6x) and Vossemberg (6x). The finish line is drawn on the same avenue as last year, close to the Atomium. At the end there’s a lap of 15.2 kilometers. That way the riders can explore the finish.

Last year André Greipel was the best. The German champion will be at the start this Saturday. Other fast guys are Bryan Coquard, Arnaud Démare, Sacha Modolo, Giacomo Nizzolo and Tom Van Asbroeck.
 
Lars Bak, Tony Gallopin, André Greipel and Marcel Sieberg will ride both races. At the Grand Prix de Fourmies they will have to cover 205 kilometers. The Côte de Boquet and Côte du Sacré Coeur have to be climbed three times. Then there are five local laps with the Côte de l’Ancienne Gendarmerie. Démare, Modolo, Nizzolo and Van Asbroeck will also take the start in France.
 
“The Brussels Cycling Classic reminds me of the ‘Druivenkoers’ in Overijse, it’s in the same area," sports director Kurt Van de Wouwer, said. "The course is definitely not easy, but still it’s a race where a bunch sprint is a possibility. André Greipel is our man for that.

"We also have Tony Gallopin in the team. He’s in good condition and is definitely capable of performing well in that race, if the race development is suited for that. We’ll try to get a man in an early breakaway as well.
 
“In Fourmies an early breakaway has more chance of surviving than in the Brussels Cycling Classic. Lars Bak, the winner in 2012, will definitely be motivated. Also Gallopin and our trainee Tiesj Benoot can attack. And for the bunch sprint we can rely on Greipel again. Jonas Van Genechten, who’s doing well and proved that by winning in Overijse, can show his fast legs if he’s part of a front group.”

 
Selection Lotto Belisol - Brussels Cycling Classic:

Lars Bak, Kris Boeckmans, Sean De Bie, Tony Gallopin, André Greipel, Oliver Naesen, Marcel Sieberg and Dennis Vanendert.
 
Selection Lotto Belisol - GP de Fourmies:

Lars Bak, Tiesj Benoot, Kenny Dehaes, Tony Gallopin, André Greipel, Marcel Sieberg, Boris Vallée and Jonas Van Genechten.