Search our site:

Sign up for our Email Newsletter

2023 Bredene Koksijde Classic (1.Pro), Belgium

Formerly: Handzame Classic
20th edition: Friday, March 17, 2023

Handzame Classic historic results | 2022 edition | 2024 edition | Course profile | Start list

Bredene - Koksijde, 191.6 km

Gerben Thijssen wins in Koksijde

Stoic philosopher Epictetus' Golden Sayings is available in both audiobook & Kindle eBook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.

Weather at the finish city of Koksijde at 12:40 PM, local time: 12C (54F), rain, with the wind from the southeast at 10 km/hr (6 mph). The rain is forecast to end about 1:45.

The race: Three non-starters: Madis Mihkels (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty), Antonio Barac (Corretec) & Dries van Gestel (TotalEnergies).

Here's the report from third-place Sam Welsford's Team DSM:

Sam Welsford capped off a strong team performance at the one-day Bredene Koksijde Classic to finish in third place, coming from behind to draw level on the line but just running out of road to get his wheel in front.

The race proved to be a hectic one throughout, apart from the early lull in action once the day’s early breakaway of four riders formed, eventually gaining up to six minutes before the gap started to fall under the impetus of the peloton behind. Team DSM were committed to riding for Welsford from the start, keeping him well positioned and out of trouble through the narrow lanes and exposed sections in which crosswinds often threatened to split the peloton.

Small groups formed in these tricky sections, as well as due to crashes in the peloton, but each time the race regrouped at the front. Everything was back together with 40 kilometres to race and from here the peloton was happy to keep the pace high in preparation for a bunch sprint.

The guys rallied well towards the front, positioning themselves ahead of tricky corners and narrow sections before dropping Welsford off in the final kilometre from where he had to come from behind to catch the sprinters ahead of him. Despite being the fastest over the closing metres, he just missed out on taking the win as his front wheel passed the line in third still carrying the speed to take him past the winner just after the line.

Here's a ground-level shot of the finish.

Team DSM coach Roy Curvers said after the finish: “We did a good race again and rode our own plan today, ready to take the race in our hands. In the final I saw all the guys dedicated to keeping Sam out of trouble and making sure he would be able to sprint with the first guys. I think some minor mistakes were made in the last 1.5 kilometres which meant Sam had to start his sprint from a little far back.

“But when you see the images you see he’s riding the fastest sprint and finished back on the podium. We can be really happy with the process we’re in these past weeks. This, again, is a confirmation that we are doing things right and it comes now to fine tuning and for sure more wins will follow.”

Complete results:

191.6 kilometers raced at an average speed of 44.604 km/hr

Race profile:

2023 Bredene Koksijde Classic profile

Start list with back numbers, March 16, 2023: