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In recent years, the GP de Fourmies / La Voix du Nord has often been decided in a sprint finish, although the circuits around Fourmies are conducive to attacks. Once again, we are likely to witness a battle for victory between sprinter teams and attacking riders, making it a very exciting race.

This event was first held in 1928, making it one of the oldest French classics still being contested today. The race's palmares includes legendary cyclists from all eras such as Jean Stablinski (1957), Eddy Merckx (1973), Adrie Van Der Poel (1987), Andrea Tafi (1997), Robbie McEwen (2005), and Philippe Gilbert (2006), among others.

Route

The race covers a route of 196 kilometers with 2093 meters of positive elevation gain, spread across two circuits around the town of Fourmies, located in northern France near the Belgian border. The first circuit must be completed three times, spanning 34 kilometers and featuring two short climbs, the côte Bocquet (0.9 km at 4.4%) and côte du Sacré Coeur (0.8 km at 6.5%). The second circuit is more manageable, measuring 11 kilometers and including two small climbs, but over the course of 5 laps, it's likely that the peloton will regroup.

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The reigning world champion, Mathieu Van Der Poel (800), leads a start list filled with sprinters: Arnaud Démare (1000), Fabio Jakobsen (1000), Dylan Groenenwegen (800), Alexander Kristoff (800), Pascal Ackermann (600), Caleb Ewan (600), Arvid de Klein (400), Giacomo Nizzolo (400), Maximilian Walscheid (400), Matteo Moschetti (400), Marc Sarreau (200), Arne Marit (200), Jason Tesson (200), and Paul Penhoet (200) are some of the top sprinters taking the start.

Other cyclists like Tim Wellens (200), Yves Lampaert (400), Matteo Trentin (600), Florian Sénéchal (400), Anthony Turgis (200), Dries De Bondt (200), and Van der Poel himself will have to go on the attack if they want to prevent the sprinters from winning the race.

Photo: © GP de Fourmies