Sprinting
A look at the field of participants tells us that we might be watching a sprinters’ battle on the cobblestones of the Grand Place of Binche.
Defending champion Luca Mozzato (Arkéa-B&B Hotels), Axel Zingle (Cofidis), Pierre Gautherat (Decathlon-AG2R), Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceunick), Arnaud De Lie (Lotto-Dstny), Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty) and Jordi Meeus (Red Bull-BORA hansgrohe) are specialists in the final straight line.
And we haven’t even mentioned the name yet: Tim Merlier is the big favorite. Since the Soudal-Quick Step sprinter raced to the European title in Hasselt on September 15, he also won the two races he rode afterwards: Koolskamp Koers (20/9) and Gooikse Pijl (22/9).
Merlier is the partner of Cameron Vandenbroucke and therefore also rides for his own people. He wants to honor his in-laws at a profit. Cameron Vandenbroucke is the daughter of Frank Vandenbroucke, who died 15 years ago on October 12.
The 2024 edition will be the last to be led by Jean-Luc Vandenbroucke, the uncle of the late rider, since the race returned to the calendar in 2010.
