Preview GP Denain 2025 | A great cobbled opportunity for Del Grosso and Visma | Lease a Bike youngsters

The GP Denain has crowned some impressive winners over the years. Mathieu van der Poel took victory in 2019, and after the pandemic break in 2021, Jasper Philipsen claimed the title. This year, however, both riders are fully focused on Milan-Sanremo, meaning they won't be lining up for this cobbled race in northern France.

One rider who will be present is last year’s winner, Jannik Steimle. The German rider secured one of Q36.5’s few victories in 2024 by attacking from the early breakaway and holding off the peloton by just ten seconds.

2024 Jannik Steimle
2023 Juan Sebastian Molano
2022 Max Walscheid
2021 Jasper Philipsen
2020 Not ridden
2019 Mathieu van der Poel
2018 Kenny Dehaes
2017 Arnaud Démare
2016 Daniel McLay
2015 Nacer Bouhanni

Compared to last year, the course remains largely unchanged. The opening phase consists of several local laps in and around Denain, where riders won’t have to worry about cobblestones just yet—those are saved for the final part of the race.

The real action begins around 80 kilometers from the finish, with the first cobbled sector or the approach to it. Every contender will want to be at the front at this point, leading to a massive acceleration before the first cobbled section. Once the riders hit the cobbles, the sectors come in rapid succession—thirteen in total, covering 23 kilometers. The final sector is located around 10 kilometers from the finish, followed by rolling roads leading back to Denain.

Weather
Thursday’s weather looks promising for the riders. Temperatures in northern France are expected to be around 16°C, with plenty of sunshine.

Times
Start: 11:25 AM (local time) | 5:25 AM (EST)
Finish: 4:05 PM (local time) | 10:05 AM (EST)

Just like last year, Arnaud De Lie (Lotto) is arguably the biggest name on the GP Denain 2025 start list. The Belgian was originally set to race Milan-Sanremo, but after a recent illness, he adjusted his schedule, opting instead for Nokere Koerse and GP Denain—two races where he aims to contend for victory. Lotto brings a strong and well-rounded team, featuring Alec Segaert, Brent Van Moer, Lionel Taminiaux, and Milan Menten.

Visma | Lease a Bike is also fielding a young lineup, led by British sprinter Matthew Brennan and Norwegian powerhouse Per Strand Hagenes. Brennan will be a serious contender if the race ends in a sprint, while Hagenes is more suited to attacking on the cobbles, either solo or from a reduced group.

With good weather expected, the likelihood of a bunch sprint increases. Many teams are therefore bringing strong sprinters. Sam Bennett (Decathlon AG2R) came close to victory in the final stage of Tirreno-Adriatico and will be eager to deliver a big result, while Milan Fretin (Cofidis) is another rider in top form who could be a factor in the sprint.

Max Walscheid (Jayco AlUla), Giacomo Nizzolo (Q36.5), Cees Bol, Aaron Gate, Max Kanter (XDS-Astana), Jenthe Biermans, Amaury Capiot, Luca Mozzato (Arkéa - B&B Hotels), Alberto Brutomesso (Bahrain Victorious), Juan Sebastian Molano (UAE-Emirates XRG) and Lukas Kubis (Unibet Tietema Rockets) also have fast legs.

Additionally, it’s worth keeping an eye on the breakaway specialists. Dries Van Gestel (Soudal Quick-Step), Dries De Bondt, Stefan Bissegger (Decathlon AG2R), Kelland O'Brien (Jayco AlUla), Taco van der Hoorn (Intermarché-Wanty), Florian Vermeersch, Filippo Baroncini (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), Tibor Del Grosso, Timo Kielich (Alpecin-Deceuninck), and Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies)—all of them will be looking to pull off a "Steimle move" like last year’s winner. The German himself is also back in the race, alongside fellow rouleur Frederik Frison.

Top favorites: Arnaud De Lie (Lotto) and Milan Fretin (Cofidis)
Outsiders:Sam Bennett (Decathlon AG2R), Max Walscheid (Jayco AlUla), Luca Mozzato (Arkéa - B&B Hotels), Dries Van Gestel (Soudal Quick-Step) and Matthew Brennan (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Long shots: Per Strand Hagenes (Visma | Lease a Bike), Lewis Askey (Groupama-FDJ), Giacomo Nizzolo (Q36.5), Florian Vermeersch, Juan Sebastian Molano (UAE Emirates-XRG), Cees Bol (XDS-Astana), Tibor Del Grosso, Timo Kielich (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Lukas Kubis (Unibet Tietema Rockets) and Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies)

The GP Denain will not be broadcast live on TV on Thursday, as Eurosport has opted to air curling and snooker instead. However, the race will be available on HBO Max from 14:00 CET.