Next up Dwars door Vlaanderen for Bahrain Victorious

# Bahrain Victorious Gears Up for Dwars door Vlaanderen

As Bahrain Victorious looks ahead to the next challenge in their campaign, they prepare for the iconic Dwars door Vlaanderen on Wednesday, April 1. Following a gripping finale at “In Flanders Fields,” where Alec Segaert’s late surge was only thwarted within the final moments, the team is eager to capitalize on their recent momentum.

The 80th edition of this UCI WorldTour Classic will commence in Roeselare—a familiar starting point since 2007—and will conclude at the traditional Verbindingsweg in Waregem. The race spans a distance of 185 km through the challenging Flemish Ardennes, featuring a mix of both familiar and newly introduced sectors.

The course opens with a flat section, then shifts into the first climbs early on, introducing two new ascents: Hellestraat (1.2 km at 5.2%, max 10%) and Onderbossenaarstraat (1.4 km at 5.3%, max 10.7%), placed about 77 km from the finish line.

Key moments of the race are expected to unfold between kilometers 90–115 and 130–145, which include notable climbs such as the double ascent of Berg Ten Houte (1.1 km at 6%, max 21%) and the cobbled stretch of Mariaborrestraat. The route progresses through Eikenberg, Doorn, and Huisepontweg before entering decisive final circuits featuring Nokereberg and Herlegemstraat. The flat finish offers various potential outcomes, from late solo attacks to a reduced group sprint, favoring riders adept at surviving early challenges.

Sports Director Nikolas Maes shared his expectations: “Dwars door Vlaanderen is a slightly shorter race, and at 185 km, it brings a different mindset and dynamic in the peloton. It’s always a race with an unwritten script, but I still expect it to be quite open. We have a well-performing Matej Mohorič and Alec Segaert, and they will be our leaders. A sprint option with Pau Miquel and Alessandro Borgo could also be possible, but first, we need to make sure we come through the hardest sections with enough riders in front.”

Maes further highlighted the alterations to the course: “The organisers have made some changes around the second passage of Berg Ten Houte, which I believe will be one of the key moments of the race… The goal is to fight for a result from a breakaway or in a sprint from a reduced group.”

Alec Segaert expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Dwars door Vlaanderen is a race I’m really looking forward to after the Classics we’ve had so far. The feelings are good, and last year I already finished in the top ten. Hopefully, this time I can do even better. I’m ready for it.”

Matej Mohorič echoed those sentiments: “We’ve had some ups and downs here in Belgium. E3 didn’t go as we hoped, but we raced well in Flanders Fields. The result was missing, but both Alec and I are feeling good. Hopefully, we can give it another strong try and see what we can do.”

Bahrain Victorious is prepping for both strategy and execution as they aim for a strong showing in Dwars door Vlaanderen, with all eyes on their talented squad as they navigate one of cycling’s most challenging races.