The Soudal Classics race series will end tomorrow in Leuven. Without Wout van Aert, last year's winner Mathieu van der Poel, Kevin Pauwels and Lars van der Haar, the scene is set for an open battle. Sven Nys is the main attraction and has to deal with outsiders Tom Meeusen and Klaas Vantornout.

A week before the Belgian Championships in Lille, the so-called dress rehearsal takes place in Leuven, but this time it is a race which is mainly marked by the absence of many top riders. Kevin Pauwels, Michael Vanthourenhout and Mathieu van der Poel prefer to train under the Spanish sun to gain the extra bit that is needed at the national championships. Even before the start of the season, Wout van Aert decided not to overload his schedule and he decided to skip the four races of the Soudal Classics. Hence, Sunday will be an open battle.

Belgian champion Klaas Vantornout got last a contract at the last minute but has not yet won a race this season. However, his results in recent weeks show that he is getting closer to his best form. Sunday will be his last race in the Belgian drikleur and he wants to gain confidence for the his title defence next week. He must deal with two-time winner Sven Nys who was second in Baal yesterday, and Tom Meeusen, winner in Loenhout and second last year in Leuven.