The 75th edition of the Flèche du Sud cycling race will run from Wednesday to Sunday, drawing both top international teams and local talent to the roads of Luxembourg. Held in the 2.1 category, the race welcomes major professional outfits, including Team Visma | Lease a Bike, who arrive with Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne winner and leading British talent Matthew Brennan. The 20-year-old, alongside Dutch teammate Tijmen Graat, is expected to be a contender for the general classification.
Thirteen Luxembourg riders will be at the starting line this year. Among them, Mats Wenzel, who is currently racing for Equipo Kern Pharma, stands out as a leading hope for a strong general classification result. Wenzel has shown impressive form in recent weeks and finished eighth in this race two years ago. The challenging stages in Bourscheid and Steinfort should suit his strengths.
For the Flèche du Sud, Wenzel joins the Luxembourg national team under the guidance of Jempy Drucker, supported by Charel Meyers, Alex Kerrens, and young prospects Flavio Astolfi, Yannis Lang, and Lennox Papi.
Loïc Bettendorff, riding for Austrian team Hrinkow Advarics, comes into the race after winning the mountain classification at last week’s Tour of Hellas, which is another 2.1 event. Although the effort in Greece took a toll, the 25-year-old hopes to feature in breakaways, especially targeting stage four in Steinfort.
The other six Luxembourgers will compete with their German continental teams: Alexandre Kess, Mil Morang, and Arno Wallenborn represent Team Lotto-Kern Haus Outlet Montabaur. All three of them have the necessary qualities to compete for victory on one of the stages, and one can also expect a good overall classification result from Arno Wallenborn.
Team Storck - MRW Bau, another German continental team, fields Noé Ury, Pol Breser, and Mats Berns, who are expected to animate the race through breakaway attempts.
Luxembourgish expertise will also be present off the bike. Gaëtan Pons serves as Directeur Sportif for Team Visma | Lease a Bike, while Pit Leyder, who previously finished third at the Skoda Tour, is now in his third year with the Austrian Tirol KTM Cycling Team.
Overall, the 75th edition of the Flèche du Sud is very interesting from a Luxembourgish point of view, and one can look forward to the outcome of the various stages and the general classification.
The five-stage race is renowned for its difficulty and tradition, and thus promises an engaging contest. The event opens in Stadtbredimus with a six-lap circuit totalling 94.2km. The following day sees the riders tackle the traditional Rumelange stage over 151.2km on Ascension Day. Friday’s 156.2km leg around Bourscheid could prove decisive for the general classification, with the final section including three climbs to Bourscheid from Goebelsmuehle.
On Saturday, the 149.4km stage around Steinfort could still shake up the standings, with riders needing strong positioning on the closing circuit to avoid surprises. The race concludes on Sunday in Esch, with a 166.5km stage finishing in Esch/Belval, where the sprinters will have their chance to shine.
