Koksijde, Belgium — The 14th edition of the Bredene-Koksijde Classic (1.Pro), set to take place on Friday, 21 March 2025, promises an exhilarating spectacle with a revised route featuring significant modifications, particularly in the Heuvelland area.
The race’s details were officially presented at the Koksijde Casino on Monday evening, highlighting both familiar segments and new challenges for the riders.
The starting point will remain at the Staf Versluys Centre in Bredene, while the Ter Duinenlaan in Koksijde, affectionately dubbed the ‘Primavera of the North,’ will once again host the race’s conclusion.
The final stretch is set to captivate cycling enthusiasts with its fast sprints and tactical complexity. “Compared to last year, the initial stretch from Bredene to the hills is similar,” said race director Stefaan Decleir. “However, there are many changes near Heuvelland.”
The adjustments aim to enhance the race’s competitive edge while addressing logistical challenges posed by ongoing roadworks in the region.
One of the most notable alterations is the removal of the Scherpenberg and Sulferberg climbs due to roadworks. In their place, the route introduces a series of challenging ascents that are expected to test the peloton’s stamina and strategy.
“Schomminkelstraat remains the first official climb, occurring after 72 kilometres,” Decleir explained. Riders will subsequently tackle the Baneberg, Monteberg, and the iconic Kemmelberg, a climb renowned for its brutal gradients and cobblestones.
The route’s complexity deepens with a second pass over the Kemmelberg, this time from the opposite side, adding a tactical layer to the race.
Following this section, riders will head towards Poperinge and then traverse the exposed polder flats of De Moeren, notorious for their unpredictable crosswinds.
After covering 166 kilometres, the peloton will enter Koksijde for three local laps of 11.4 kilometres each, encircling Ter Duinenlaan.
“For a day, it will be called Via Roma of Koksijde, and the fountain on Koksijde’s church square will shine,” Decleir remarked, underscoring the community’s enthusiasm and the race’s growing prestige.
The Bredene-Koksijde Classic has seen a series of thrilling conclusions in recent years. In 2024, Italian sprinter Luca Mozzato claimed victory in a dramatic mass sprint, outpacing Dylan Groenewegen and Gerben Thijssen. Thijssen himself took the title in 2023, solidifying his reputation as a formidable competitor on the Belgian circuit.
This year’s revised course is expected to offer a balanced challenge for both climbers and sprinters, ensuring a wide-open race with multiple potential outcomes.
As riders and teams finalize their preparations, fans can anticipate a fierce contest to claim the coveted title at the ‘Primavera of the North.
