Danilith Nokere Koerse is growing. For the first time, 10 WorldTour teams will be at the start for the men’s race. Additionally, we welcome 9 ProContinental teams and 1 Continental team, Tarteletto-Isorex, with local roots. We deliberately choose not to race with 25 teams, but limit the peloton to 20 teams of 7 riders. This ensures a safer and more attractive race.
Last year, European champion Tim Merlier won, ahead of Fabio Jakobsen and Jasper Philipsen. A top-tier podium. And we hope to see these three top riders at the start in Deinze again this year! Additionally, we expect a lot of young talent. Traditionally, we enjoy seeing young talent on the cobblestones of Danilith Nokere Koerse. For example, we expect top talent Antonio Morgado (already a two-time winner this year and, among other achievements, 5th in the Tour of Flanders last year) from Team Emirates, Tim Torn Teutenberg from Lidl-Trek, last year’s winner of Paris-Roubaix in the U23 category, or Ethan Vernon, a young American sprint sensation from Israel-Premier Tech, with already 11 professional victories, at the start.
Besides this young talent, there are also several absolute top riders. Jasper Philipsen has been on the podium in Nokere multiple times, both as a junior and a professional, but has never won. So, ‘unfinished business’ for the man of the opening weekend. After Milan-San Remo, Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, stage wins and the green jersey in the Tour de France, can he finally add Danilith Nokere Koerse to his list of achievements?
Arnaud De Lie has also been confirmed as a participant. He is convinced that the new finish suits him well. A Belgian champion as a winner; that always looks good on the palmarès!
If a Belgian champion looks good on the palmarès, then a European champion would certainly be splendid! Furthermore, Tim Merlier can only become the record holder if he wins his ‘home race’ for the fourth time. It has been 20 years since Tom Boonen won a semi-classic four times in a row at the “E3-Prijs”. Whether Tim can achieve this unique feat is not yet certain; he is still considering his participation. But we certainly hope he takes on the challenge!
Besides these well-known names, there are also riders with a strong hunger for a victory in Nokere: Milan Fretin of Cofidis beat all the big names in an uphill sprint in the Algarve and seems ready for a major breakthrough. Perhaps in Nokere? Or what about
Besides, hopefully, Tim Merlier, we also welcome many other former winners at the start; from Timothy Dupont, to Ludovic Robbeet, Fabio Jakobsen, and Cees Bol. We hope to see them all at the start in Deinze on March 19!
