BINCKBANK TOUR 2019 – STAGE 4 PREVIEW

Today we finally saw someone seriously challenging Sam Bennett in the sprint. It was Groenewegen who launched, but was eventually beaten to the line by the Irishman who takes his 3rd win a row. Tomorrow the chances for Sam Bennett are a lot smaller as we’re heading towards a 90 km stage with some mean climbing work to be done. The route will take us from Houffalize to … Houffalize. The last two times the BinckBank Tour finished in Houffalize Tim Wellens came out as the winner, but those stages were significantly longer (190+ km). So, will he be able to go for his 3rd consecutive Houffalize win? Let’s check out the Route!

The Route:

A circuit of 30 kilometers which the riders will have to do three times. The toughest climb is the first climb in the circuit: the Cote de Saint-Roch, which is 1.1 km @ 11%. The other two climbs are also short and punchy. All with all, we will have rolling terrain for the entire stage, with 3×3 consecutive punchy climbs inbetween. From the last climb it is only a small distance to the finish line

The last kilometers are close to flat and, if a rider does not arrive solo, the riders that are fighting for the win will want to keep some of their powder dry until the final turn at 400 meters from the finish to launch their final kick.

Weather:

A type of weather that a certain Belgium former winner certainly likes. Cold and rainy, with a moderate breeze from the west.

The Race:

A stage where the strongest rider will most likely win. The short length of the stage makes for some exciting racing and we would not be suprised if this turns out to be the decisive GC day in hindsight (and not stage 7). Pace will be high all day and anyone with GC ambitions and good form will make sure their team sets a furious pace to tire the legs of the competitors in order to launch a decisive attack in three consecutive climbs of the final lap circuit. History learns us that the winner often comes from a solo move or a sprint between a very select group of riders.

The Favorites:

Quickstep
If they want to win this race, they will have to put their cards on the table tomorrow. They have 3 strong GC candidates (Stybar, Gilbert, Jungels) and some pretty strong support to set a devastating pace in the first half of the stage with El Traktor (Tim Declerq), Senechal and Keisse. Stybar tried to launch a late attack earlier this week, but it did not really impress us.

We think that the Quickstep’s could play a one-two by sending Jungels on a solo mission, allowing Gilbert to keep his powder dry and chase moves, with Gilbert having the pace to finish it off in the sprint.

Tim Wellens
The former two time winner at this location of arrival. There’s a huge question mark regarding his post Tour de France form, but an in-form Wellens should be challenging for the stage-win. His team lacks some depth, which could cause problems in a short, chaotic stage like this one.

Mike Teunissen
We think he will be too tired from challenging in the sprints with Groenewegen compared to the other GC candidates, but a good Mike Teunissen has the strength to keep up in the climbs and the punch to finish it off on the flat.

Greg van Avermaet
If there’s one thing certain, it is the fact that GVA will give it a go tomorrow. He’s been riding very agressive all-season, but did not really cash in on it yet. In 2015 he finished second here behind Wellens and in 2017 he managed to get a 4th place behind Wellens, Dumoulin and Stuyven. He will certainly ride a good race tomorrow, but will it be enough to win?

Dylan van Baarle
A big day for the Dutchman tomorrow! The steep climbs perfectly suit his newly obtained skills as a domestique for Thomas and Bernal. A good Dylan van Baarle has the punch to power away on these climbs, and the strength to maintain the gap all the way to the finish line.

Simon Clarke
A last minute replacement for Bettiol who knows how to win races. Got second in the Amstel Gold behind Van der Poel, a 9th place in Milan Samremo and a 8th place in Strade Bianche. He has a decent sprint and he has shown that he is capable of winning (i.e. in the Vuelta last year).

Oliver Naesen
Has all the skills to win this stage, but rarely wins. Will this be his big day?

Outsiders: De Plus, Ballerini, Hirschi, Madouas, Garcia Cortina, Theuns, McCarthy, Vanmarcke, Valgren, Meurisse

The Winner:

We think that it will be between Quickstep, Van Baarle, GVA and Wellens, with Simon Clarke as a dangerous outsider. Who of these guys will take the win tomorrow? It is hard to predict, but we think Dylan van Baarle will be victorious tomorrow and to make a statement for the general classification!