Inaugured originally under the name Gran Prix de Fay-le-France in 1968, Le Samyn is one of the most overlooked races in the early spring calendar.
The race, which called after his first winner, Jose Samyn (died in an accident in 1969) since 1970, is set in midweek right after the Opening Weekend of the cobbled classics in Belgium (Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne), but before Strade Bianche. That means members of the elite peloton have to choose between the cobbles and the white gravels. Because of the Strade Bianche is a World Tour race, meanwhile, Le Samyn isn’t even part of the new created ProSeriues, no wonder that the elite teams prefer the Italian event.
And yet, it’s worth watching, especially, when someone loves cobbles. There are a total of 16 cobbled sectors:
1 Côte de la Roquette (1) 95,3 km (to go)
2 Chemin de Wihéries (1) 94,5 km
3 Côte des Nonettes (1) 89,4km
4 Rue de Belle Vue (1) 84,0 km
5 Côte de la Roquette (2) 68,4 km
6 Chemin de Wihéries (2) 67,6 km
7 Côte des Nonettes (2) 62,5 km
8 Rue de Belle Vue (2) 57,1 km
9 Côte de la Roquette (3) 41,5 km
10 Chemin de Wihéries (3) 40,7 km
11 Côte des Nonettes (3) 35,6 km
12 Rue de Belle Vue (3) 30,2 km
13 Côte de la Roquette (4) 14,6 km
14 Chemin de Wihéries (4) 13,8 km
15 Côte des Nonettes (4) 8,7 km
16 Rue de Belle Vue (4) 3,3 km
Last year’s victor Florian Sénéchal (Deceuninck-Quick Step) will participate this year again, and also two-times winner Niki Terpstra (Total Direct Energie) will ride the race. Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo) had an excellent weekend, he has the form and the confidence to be a protagonist of the race.
Both Deceuninck-Quick Step and Trek-Segafredo can play an important role but never forget the Belgian ProTeams, like Circus-Wanty Gobert or Alpecin-Fenix. Either Aimé De Gendt (last year’s 2nd) or Tim Merlier, Belgian champion can have some big moment during this 202 km.
See more:
Le Samyn 2020 – The Route
Le Samyn 2020 – Startlist
Review of the 2019 race:
Thrilling One Day Races You Might Have Missed in 2019 – Le Samyn
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