The details of the route for the 4th edition of the World Ports Classic, which will take place on 23rd and 24th May, were unveiled this morning in Rotterdam. As a preview to Le Tour 2015, a particularly windy programme awaits the riders.
 
Born from the adventure of the Grand Start of the Tour de France 2010 in Rotterdam, the World Ports Classic has since developed its own personality by proposing a challenge to classics specialists in particular, who see it as a unique opportunity to test themselves on an atypical round-trip between two major ports that have shaped the history of Europe. For its fourth edition, the Dutch/Belgian race will once again share common ground with the Tour de France because the first stage of the WPC will take the riders along the route of the second stage on the next Tour de France, over a shared distance of 73.5 km, to be precise. In July, the sprinters, or at least those who have withstood the gusts of sea winds, will do battle for the Yellow Jersey in the heart of Zeeland, at the site of Neeltje Jans, exactly where the end of the intermediate sprint on 23rd May will take place, during the stage heading to Antwerp.
 
After this first leg for which kite-surfers will have unparalleled views, the return journey will set off from the Main Square in Antwerp, where the pack will come together six weeks later to head towards Huy. In May, however, the riders will head north again on an unusual route that will hold a windy day in store once more. A different exploration of the dykes will be on the menu before reaching the finish, with another 60 kilometres of totally exposed sections where, in tactical terms, anything goes. With this double ration of gusts, the brave are more likely to see their efforts rewarded.
 
The stages of the World Ports Classic 2015:
Saturday 23rd May: Rotterdam-Antwerp, 195 km
Sunday 24th May: Antwerp-Rotterdam, 164 km
 
The 18 teams selected
Belgium
Lotto Soudal
Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
Wallonnie - Bruxelles
Wanty - Groupe Gobert
 
Denmark
Cult Energy Pro Cycling
 
France
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
Roubaix Lille Métropole
Team Europcar
 
Germany
Bora - Argon 18
Team Giant - Alpecin
 
Kazakhstan
Astana Pro Team
 
Netherlands
Cycling Team Join’s - De Rijke
Roompot Oranje Peloton
Team Lotto NL - Jumbo
Team Metec – TKH
 
South Africa
MTN - Qhubeka p/b Samsung
 
USA
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team