Minerva Classic Brugge-De Panne 2022

A day for the sprinters, with potential crosswinds. It is very flat near the coast. We have 404 climbing meters.

We have 3.5 laps of 45.1 km near Veurne / De Panne.

The laps.

In 2020, we saw real carnage on these roads.

The finale

A corner with 800 meters to go. It is not a technical finale, if it comes down to a sprint.

Weather

Unfortunately for us, the wind is not going to play a major role tomorrow. We should see a sprint.

Contenders

Cavendish with Mørkøv, who has led out Bennett here in 2021. They also have Honoré, Steimle, Keisse, Steels and Van Lerberghe. A very strong team all-around to support Cavendish, who did not have a lot of success in Tirreno – Adriatico but recently won in Milano – Torini.

Bennett did not look good at all in Paris – Nice. He said quite a few times he will need a month or two to find his best level. He should have Meeus and DvP to help him. Van Poppel has quickly become a very good lead-out rider, but we will have to see if Bennett is ready to finish the job.

De Lie has a good train here with him too. De Buyst and Selig – not even Ewan gets that! A couple of strong riders for the flat also. I think there are some riders quicker than him here, but he should be up there.

Girmay – I think it is too easy for him to win. His form is clearly good, so I will be surprised if he is not in the top-10.

Demare – too easy for him too really. Strong team to support him, but not fast enough to win.

Kooij – has TvdS, Roosen and Eenkhorn. Quality riders to help him. Two podiums in Tirreno – Adriatico, and also did well in UAE Tour. He is very consistent, but I doubt he can win.

Groenewegen out with illness in Paris – Nice. We will have to see how he goes. He has not been very good in the two WT-races he has participated in this year. He has Mezgec to help him, which could be vital.

Ackermann with a win in Bredene Koksijde Classic. He is getting more and more used to surfing wheels, but I still do not think he has the speed anymore to beat the best.

Merlier had a shady sprint in Bredene Koksijde Classic. With a stage win in Tirreno – Adriatico and a win in Danilth Nokere Koerse, the latter very dominant, he is starting to find good legs. Rickaert is here to guide him, a short train compared to some of the other favorites.

Bouhanni – with Capiot to help him. He is very good in the battle for positioning. Anything else than a top-10 would be surprising.

Who will win?

Mark Cavendish has the best lead-out train and lead-out man. A win for Quick-Step.