Le Samyn

A tough race in Wallonia to complete a first long weekend of Belgian racing for the Blue ladies. The Movistar Team will be, together with Trek-Segafredo, one of only two WWT squads at the start of Le Samyn, a UCI 1.2 race which, just like all events in its category, has recently received permission from the sport’s governing body to feature up to three top-tier teams in its start list.

Lacking climbs as tough as the Flemish ones, yet with some lumpy sections such as the Place Masson QOM, the main difficulty in the race’s final three laps will be its five cobbled sectors, which have even been categorized by the organisers, Roubaix-like: Rue du Vert Pignon (*, 1,400m), Côte de la Roquette (**, 500m), Chemin de Wihéries (***, 400m), Côte des Nonettes (***, 300m) and Rue de Belle Vue (***, 500m). The latter’s situation, just 4km from each passage through the line in Dour, will be decisive.