Race analysis, favourites, and predictions for Scheldeprijs 2023

Although last year's race broke apart very early and Alexander Kristoff (800) got a spectacular solo victory by escaping from the front group 7 kilometers from the finish, the Scheldeprijs is a race designed and intended to end in a bunch sprint. Born in 1907 (six years before the Ronde Van Vlaanderen), it is the oldest race in Flanders still held today.

Route

Since 2018, the start has taken place in Terneuzen, Netherlands, and finishes in the Belgian town of Schoten, on the outskirts of Antwerp, where cyclists will have to complete four laps on a 17-kilometer final circuit. The route, which follows the course of the Schelde river that gives the race its name, is completely flat, and over 198 kilometers it only adds up to 355 meters of positive elevation. On the other hand, wind and rain can be determining factors for the outcome of the race, so it is recommended to check the weather predictions before composing our team.

Favorites

Since this is one of the classics that best suits sprinters, the start list is full of fast men. Jasper Philipsen (1200), Fabio Jakobsen (800), Mark Cavendish (1000), Alexander Kristoff (800), Danny Van Poppel (600), Caleb Ewan (800), Dylan Groenewegen (600), Giacomo Nizzolo (600), Alberto Dainese (600), Jordi Meeus (400), Hugo Hofstetter (400), Maximillian Walscheid (400), Stanislaw Aniolkowski (400), Gerben Thijssen (400), Edward Theuns (400), Cees Bol (400), Sam Welsford (200), Matteo Moschetti (200), Kristoffer Halvorsen (200) and Arne Marit (200) make up a list of top-level sprinters.

Photo: © Flanders Classics