Wind, hills, cobblestones and echelons all on the menu at Bredene Koksijde Classic

Team Novo Nordisk return to the cycling heartland of West Flanders in Belgium on Friday with 21-year-old Matyas Kopecky aiming high and looking to improve on last years result.

The 21st edition of Bredene Koksijde, formerly part of the three days of West Flanders race and previously known as the Handzame Classic forms a key part of the major classics build up and will be packed full of the essential ingredients:  wind, hills, cobbles and echelons…all those good Belgian things! 

“It looks like it’s going to be very windy on Friday and we’re going to have to be at the top of our game to do well,” began Kopecky. “I am looking forward very much to the race, the cobbles of the Kemmelberg and the open roads of De Moeren going into Koksijde are going to be key points and with the forecast showing strong winds, there’s a big chance of echelons.”

“For sure it will be a demanding race and an exciting spectacle. It feels great to have the support of a strong team for Bredene Koksijde, we all know our roles and what our jobs are, and my objective is to finish in the top ten and improve on last year. To do that we will need to be switched on from the beginning, on the right side of the splits and hoping for a reduced bunch kick at the end. We’ll see!”

Kopecky will lead a strong team with Italian Filippo Ridolfo and Australian Declan Irvine alongside experienced Manxman Sam Brand.

“The guys are familiar with Bredene Koksijde from last year and we need to use that experience to improve on our performance.” said General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “We know it will be a tough race and very windy so we need to be attentive at all times, especially on the open roads of West Flanders.”

“Matyas enjoys our full support this year and has a strong team behind him for this race, we want to see the guys make the most of the opportunity, follow the plan and achieve our objective. We’re at the start of a busy period of racing now, it’s important for the guys to stay focused.”

Local rider Quinten De Graeve completes the team alongside American rouleur Logan Phippen and the hungry neo pro Antonio Polga.

Team Novo Nordisk at Bredene Koksijde, Friday 15^th March:

Sam Brand (GBR, 32)

Quinten De Graeve (BEL, 23)

Declan Irvine (AUS, 25)

Matyas Kopecky (CZ, 21)

Logan Phippen (USA, 31)

Antonio Polga (IT, 24)

Filippo Ridolfo (IT, 22)