Circuit Franco Belge: Paul Magnier takes on Matthew Brennan and a strong sprint field on Wednesday

After the Heistse Pijl and Brussels Cycling Classic, Wednesday brings the next Belgian semi-classic: Circuit Franco Belge. Paul Magnier, winner of three stages and the points classification at the Giro d’Italia, returns to racing there on behalf of Soudal Quick-Step.

Magnier is one of four Soudal Quick-Step riders returning to competition ten days after the Giro finished in Rome. Ayco Bastiaens, Andrea Raccagni and Fabio Van den Bossche will also ride Circuit Franco Belge on Wednesday, together with Gil Geldersen Devo riders Matthijs De Clercq and Stan Van Tricht.

“We have four riders who are back in action for the first time since the Giro d’Italia, and it remains to be seen how it will go, but one thing is certain: we are looking forward to it,” team manager Iljo Keisse said via the team’s channels.

“The team is strong and has options to fight for a good result. It is not an easy race, with plenty of hills – not the hardest climbs, but fatigue will kick in towards the end of the race and that could play a role. In recent years there has sometimes been a bunch sprint – although not from a large group – so we will see whether the outcome is similar,” Keisse added.

Magnier will face, among others, Arnaud De Lie, Toon Aerts (Lotto-Intermarché), Marijn van den Berg, Noah Hobbs (EF Education-EasyPost), Corbin Strong, Riley Sheehan (NSN) and defending champion Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X) in the race in Wallonia.

Visma | Lease a Bike will also take part. On paper, Matthew Brennan is the Dutch team’s leading contender, although Louis Barré, Axel Zingle and Filippo Fiorelli are also on the provisional start list. Picnic PostNL (Frits Biesterbos) and Unibet Rose Rockets (Clément Venturini) are also taking part in the semi-classic.

Author: David Bavin-Hobbs | [email protected]