Race analysis, favourites, and predictions for Baloise Belgium Tour 2023

Belgium is the country of classic races par excellence, with up to 8 UCI WorldTour and 10 UCI ProSeries one-day races. However, amidst this packed schedule, there are a couple of stage races established on the professional calendar, such as the Baloise Belgium Tour, which starts next Wednesday. First held in 1909, this centenary race takes place across the country's three provinces over five race days, and with the last stage finish line placed under the Atomium in Brussels, it is a national celebration in itself.

Route

It is likely that three out of the five stages of this edition of the Baloise Belgium Tour will end in some sort of sprint (stages 1, 2, and 5), while the general classification will be decided in the 15-kilometer individual time trial of the third stage and in the hilly stage 4, which includes a positive elevation gain of 3230 meters.

Favorites

For the general classification, Mathieu Van Der Poel (1200) is the big favorite. Yves Lampaert (400), Lorenzo Rota (400), Toms Skujins (200), Jasper Stuyven (600), Jasper Philipsen (1200), Corbin Strong (400), Rasmus Tiller (200), Ben Hermans (200), Nils Eekhoff (200), Jannik Steimle (200), Alexander Edmondson (200), Cees Bol (200), and Loïc Vliegen (200) are other contenders in this open and hard-to-predict race.

Jasper Philipsen (1200), Alexander Kristoff (800), Mark Cavendish (800), Caleb Ewan (600), Gerben Thijssen (400), Sam Welsford (400), and Matteo Malucelli (200) are some of the fastest riders on the start list, and they will try to secure a stage victory in the sprints.

Photo: Baloise Belgium Tour