This is a real little revolution that the organizers of the 4 days have announced and have been preparing for several months. The creation of this “one-day race” which will precede a shortened edition of the race (5 days instead of 6) has a very clear goal: to attract higher level riders than in recent years. Because the brand new classic, classified 1.1, will have the immense advantage of offering many more UCI points to the teams involved.
Attract a higher plateau
A major challenge, when we know that many teams will fight until the end of the 2025 season to stay in the World Tour, the highest division of world cycling, whose cards are redistributed every 3 years, and which brings together the 18 best teams. The figures are quite eloquent: the winner of this classic could bring back 125 UCI points while the winner of the general of the northern stage race only wins 200.
It is not normal that a sprinter can win in Kassel.”
“ Our observation is simple: in recent years, and like many other regional races, we have had great difficulty in bringing together a quality field.explains Éric Marchyllie, the president of the organizing committee for the 4 days. The team managers made us understand that our race was too long in relation to the points it brought. »
“Add more difficulty to the course”
While the full route will be revealed in November, we already have some information on the route of this new event. It will start from the streets of Dunkirk and will reach a “major city” in the region: “ It has to be a bit difficult and not completely flat, that we go through the region’s main roads and with a name of arrival that speaks to everyone. More generally, we are in the spirit of putting more difficulties “, continues Marchyllie. Because this ” change of philosophy ” will expand on the stage race which will try to avoid the victory tunnel of sprinters or worse, of a single man, as last year with the Irishman Sam Bennett: “ It is not normal that a sprinter can win in Kassel. »
There is therefore no question of jeopardizing the historical test, which must not suffer from what Éric Marchyllie calls ” a test “. ” We will see if we need to revise our copy. ” The president of the 4 days also promises ” many surprises » to revitalize a race which will be, from May 14 to 18, in its 69th edition.
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