As it happened: 2024 Classic Brugge-De Panne

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Classic Brugge-De Panne!

We’re about half an hour away from the latest cobbled spring classic: the men’s Classic Brugge-De Panne. As the first of five Belgian World Tour classics in the space of just twelve days, ending with the Tour of Flanders a week on Sunday, it’s the race that signals the start of the most intense period of cobbled racing of the year.

Compared to the other cobbled classics in this period, this one is the most sprinter-friendly. In fact, there isn’t a single climb on the route, and the race has usually been decided by a sprint, albeit in groups of varying sizes.

With a sprint the likely outcome, one rider stands above the rest as the obvious top favourite for victory - Jasper Philipsen. Not only is the Belgian the fastest sprinter in the world, he’s also in brilliant form having only last Saturday achieved a landmark in his career by winning the Milan-Sanremo monument. With its late climbs and hectic finale, that was a complicated race for Philipsen to win; by contrast, Brugge-De Panne is the kind of classic he wins all the time.

In fact, Philipsen goes into the race as defending champion having triumphed here twelve months ago. On a cold and windy day, he had to rely on more than just his finishing kick, escaping with Olav Kooij, Yves Lampaert and Frederik Frison (Lotto-Dstny) 15km from the finish, and getting the better of them in a four-up sprint at the finish.

The race last year showed how, despite its flat parcours, Classic Brugge-De Panne can be a far from straightforward race for the sprinters - especially if the weather is right. Crosswinds can cause absolute carnage to the peloton, given the exposed roads in his region of Belgium. But neither wind nor rain appears as though it’s going to be a factor today, as you can see from this glimpse of the start in Bruge.

The peloton is riding through Bruges as we speak in the neutralised zone, approaching the official start.

199KM TO GO

They're off!

Three riders have gone clear: Thomas Gachignard (TotalEnergies), Luca De Meester (Bingoal-WB) and Victor Vercouillie (Flanders-Baloise).

This might already be the break of the day: they’ve got a gap, and built to over one minute.

190KM TO GO

The peloton seems happy to let these three go, with the pace slow and riders relaxed. That’ll be a relief for anyone hoping for a simple start of the race.

Over three minutes for the leading trio now. The peloton has sat up and won’t be seeing them for a while.

180KM TO GO

A reminder of the three riders who have formed the day’s break: Thomas Gachignard (TotalEnergies), Luca De Meester (Bingoal-WB) and Victor Vercouillie (Flanders-Baloise). They lead by about three and a half minutes.

No World Tour teams in the break, but both local wildcard entries made it in Bingoal-WB and Flanders-Baloise. Both teams are without a win so far this season - opening their account at a World Tour classic like this would be a dream, albeit a very unlikely one given the firepower available in the peloton behind once they need to chase.

170KM TO GO

The peloton aren’t concerned at all about this break - they’ve now allowed them over seven minutes advantage up the road.

While the riders might be enjoying the mild conditions out there today, we can’t help but long for a bit of wind or rain to spice things up. A race like Brugge-De Panne is very dependent on the weather - without enough of it, the race can take a while to get going.

While we wait for the action to kick off here, remember that stage three of Volta a Catalunya is currently underway - you can follow all the action here. This is the blessed time of year when the big races start to come thick and fast.

Looking ahead to the finish, which riders might be able to challenge Jasper Philipsen in a sprint? Tim Merlier stands out as the obvious candidate. The Belgian has made one of the strongest starts to the season of any sprinter, with six wins under his belt already, and has a particular aptitude for flat cobbled classics like Brugge-De Panne - and won here back in 2022.

Aside from Merlier and Philipsen, Dylan Groenewegen is the only other former winner taking part. The Dutch sprinter’s current form pales in comparison to those two, but he’s shown glimpses of his best this year, winning on his first race day of the season at Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana, and since claiming podium finishes in sprint at the AlUla Tour, Paris-Nice and Bredene Koksijde. If he can position himself well for a final bunch sprint, he’ll have a chance of victory.

150KM TO GO

About 8 minutes now for the three leaders, with a quarter of the race complete. 

In terms of historical pedigree, Arnaud Démare must be counted among the contenders, with several classics among his career tally of nearly 100 wins. The Frenchman has struggled for form these past few years, though, and a move to Arkéa - B&B Hotels hasn’t yet had the desired effect of kick-starting his career.

140KM TO GO

Not long now until the leading trio will get a first glimpse of the finish line, when they cross is to begin the first of three loops that make up the finale of the race. At this rate they’ll still be out ahead for the next passing of the finish, too - their lead is still around 7-30.

Gachignard, De Meester and Vercouillie are through the finish line, and the peloton is approaching behind them, now some six minutes behind having reduced their lead a little. 

130KM TO GO

Now the peloton passes through the finish line, with Philipsen’s Alpecin Deceuninck, Merlier’s Soudal-Quickstep, Groenewegen’s Jayco-AlUla and Jordi Meeus’ Bora-Hansgrohe among the teams at the front.

Bora’s presence at the front is an interesting show of faith in Jordi Meeus. The Belgian announced himself last year with a surprise victory on Champs-Élysées at the end of the Tour de France, but has yet to win again anywhere since. Twelfth at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne a few weeks ago suggest he may be coming into some form now though.

On the other hand, though Meeus is wearing the ‘61’ jersey, it could be that Bora-Hansgrohe are riding for Sam Welsford. The Australian did, after all, start his season much more successfully, with three bunch sprint victories at the Tour Down Under, even if his form did wane during a winless UAE Tour.

120KM TO GO

Under six minutes now for the three leaders. The gap is starting to come down. 

The fact we’ve gone this long without mentioning Fabio Jackobsen shows just how much his status has declined recently. From being recognised as the quickest sprinter in the world a few years ago, he’s now gone over a year without a win at World Tour level. Still, at 27-years-old he’s still got plenty of time to rediscover his best form - and second-place at Nokere Koerse last week, his best finish since signing for Team dsm-firmenich PostNL, suggests he might be on his way to doing just that.

110KM TO GO

The riders have been racing two hours now, and already have completed 90km, putting us ahead of the fastest schedule. There might not be much happening, but it’s not happening very quickly! 

If there is to be any crosswind chaos today, it’ll likely come at De Moeren, the exposed section of road that the riders are approaching now. But echelon fans shouldn’t hold their breath - the weather still seems too mild for any to form this time.

100KM TO GO

We're at the halfway point!  Thomas Gachignard (TotalEnergies), Luca De Meester (Bingoal-WB) and Victor Vercouillie (Flanders-Baloise) are all still out ahead.

90KM TO GO

Not long now until they complete the first loop and cross the finish line for a second time. There will be just two laps left to complete after that.

The gap has continued to steadily fall. It’s now down to about 4-30. The peloton were confident enough of bringing them back to allow them a very big lead, and indeed are having no problems clawing that time back.

UAE Team Emirates' Álvaro Hodeg has abandoned the race. That's one less man for Juan Sebastián Molano's lead-out train.

Tudor Pro Cycling are another team taking turns at the front of the peloton. Their sprinter Arvid de Kleijn has been one of the revelations of the season so far, winning at Paris-Nice and finishing runner-up three times at the UAE Tour, where he proved he could compete with the very quickest sprinters in the world.

80KM TO GO

80km to go now and the gap continues to go down. It's only just above 4 minutes now. 

In the break, Gachignard is by his team car picking up a bidon. He’s talking to his DS in the car - he and the others in the break must be wondering how best to pace themselves to stop the peloton from catching them soon, but not to wear themselves out completely.

Fabio Jakobsen is at the very back of the peloton. That would have been a problem were the wind blowing, but things are calm enough out there for him to relax.

Dylan Groenewegen was further behind, having dropped out the back of the peloton, and is being guided back into the peloton by some teammates. Again, there’s no sign of panic whatsoever. 

That said, the pace has increased going into a series of tight corners. Bora are leading the peloton, and are keen to make sure they’re not caught out.

70KM TO GO

Things have calmed down again now, as they re-enter a longer straight road. 3-55 now for the break. 

The three leaders are massively outnumbered by the multiple teams contributing to the chase in the peloton. Riders from Soudal-QuickStep, Alpecin-Deceuninck, Bora-Hansgrohe and Tudor Pro Cycling are all taking turns.

Some action now in the peloton! Bahrain-Victorious have moved to the front and upped the pace, and some riders are being dropped out of the back.

That damage was short-lived, however, and the pace has slackened again. Still, it shows how the race can still be disrupted on these twisty, narrow, exposed roads even in the absence of much wind.

Bahrain-Victorious are presumably working for their sprinter Phil Bauhaus, a rider who has catapulted himself to among the peloton’s elite sprinters in recent years, especially with his series of podium finishes at last season’s Tour de France.

60KM TO GO

Things might have calmed down, but the gap is still coming down. With 60km to go it's now just three minutes. 

A bike change for Uno-X’s Stian Fredheim in the peloton. In the absence of either Alexander Kristoff or Søren Wærenskjold it’s unclear who they’re gunning for today.

50KM TO GO

We're entering the final quarter of the race now, and there’s only a few kilometres until the beginning of the last lap. The break still have a lead in the minutes, but this will in all likelihood be their last time over the finish in front.

Jacyo-AlUla, Alpecin-Deceuninck, Soudal-QuickStep and Bora-Hansgrohe working at the front of the peloton, with the aim of bringing this back for a bunch sprint. 

We’re a bit in the dark right now about what’s happening on the road as the TV coverage has lost signal, but we understand that the riders have heard the bell and have started the last loop.

The gap is still well under control. The three leaders now have only 1-45, and won't at this rate be out there for much longer. 

40KM TO GO

Live pictures are back, and inform us that the situation remains the same, the lead down a bit more to 1-30. 

Bora-Hansgrohe are leading the bunch, and the pace is quite slow. They don't want to make the catch too soon and open themselves up to attacks. 

Crash in the peloton, and three riders are down: Nathan Vandepitte, Riley Pickrell and Simone Consonni. Consonni and Pickrell are back up and running, but Vandepitte is still on the floor.

Another crash now, and Lotto Dstny’s Liam Slock. He’s sat upright but looks hurt.

30KM TO GO

These crashes seem to be a consequence of an intensification of the racing in the peloton. Riders are vying for position and the pace is up, with the gap down to 30 seconds.

The break’s days are numbered, and cohesion is breaking down. Gachignard tried attacking the other two, and is now imploring them to take turns.

One of the victims of the crashes, Consonni, has just rejoined the peloton. He was the least affected of the four riders to go down, so we can assume that they have not made it back.

Mechanical for Rasmus Bøgh Wallin, who isn't the first Uno-X to have such a problem today. 

Gachignard has attacked from the break again, and this time has a gap.

Gachignard looks keen to stay out for as long as possible. Now he’s along, he’s tucked into a TT position and pacing himself - but not far behind the peloton now has him in sight in what is a long straight stretch of road, just 30 seconds behind.

In between, Vercouillie and De Meester briefly showed some fight by attacking each other, but have since sat up and have now been caught by the peloton.

20KM TO GO

We're entering the endgame of the race now, and the battle is on for positioning in the bunch. This is going to be an intense finale!

The peloton is simmering at the moment, rather than at boiling point. They're all bunched together with no team seizing control.

Gachignard is still out in front, and still showing some strong legs. He’s still got 30 seconds as we approach the final 15km.

The pace really has gone out the peloton Gachignard’s lead is actually growing, now reaching 45 seconds again. All the teams want to be near the front, but none are keen to take control.

Now the gap’s coming down. The pace is up again, and it’s plummeted to 15 seconds. 

Things also getting nervous now. Bora-Hansgrohe’s Danny van Poppel was forced off the tarmac on a narrow stretch of road. He didn’t fall, but was distanced from the peloton while he corrected himself.

10KM TO GO

That’s it for Gachignard, who’s long day in front is over as the peloton catches him Just 10km to go now!

Van Poppel is back in the group, which is good news for whichever of Meuus or Welsford is sprinting today. He's an elite lead-out rider and is crucial to their chances. 

Astana and Israel-Premier Tech are the teams at the front, but there's serious competition for the prime places.

A move now from Groupama-FDJ, who have put a rider at the front of the race who has upped the pace.

That Groupama rider has strung the race out, with his teammate - and presumably leader - Laurence Pithie near the front.

5KM TO GO

Now Astana are back on the other side of the road rivalling Groupama. 5km to go!

It's quite messy at the front, but lots of riders massed together. That could be quite dangerous as the roads narrow and space is at a premium.

DSM-Firmenich now show their face at the front. They’ve been quiet all day, but have they timed things perfectly for Jakobsen?

Still lots of teams all close together Lotto, Alpecin, Bahrain all there.

Last kilometre!

Still no control, it's going to be a very hectic sprint.

There are multiple different teams, but no one team with multiple riders.

2 or 3 riders down in a crash.

Lidl are leading out the sprint, with a Bora rider behind.

Philipsen wins!

Just four days after Milan-Sanremo, Jasper Philipsen is back winning again.

Considering not just the physical, but the mental toll of winning such a huge race, that's some achievement. He showed a real hunger for success merely by deciding to ride today, let alone to win.

Even more remarkably, Philipsen won that sprint after going shoulder to shoulder with Tim Merlier during the sprint. Philipsen was trying to pass him by the barrier before being squeezed out. Both riders had to stop pedalling for a moment, then re-upping the pace. 

Merlier sealed second, but did not look happy with Philipsen. 

The sprint was started by Danny van Poppel, despite his earlier mishap that saw him off-road a little earlier. Philipsen and Merlier both passed him, but third-place for Van Poppel is a very good result especially considering we assumed he’d be the lead out for either Meeus or Welsford.

There was a crash in the final few hundred metres. Thankfully only about three riders hit the deck, but it did have the effect of disrupting the sprint, with a gap emerging between the dozen leaders who sprinted for the stage win, and the rest.

Behind the Philipsen, Merlier and Van Poppel, the rest of the top ten was rounded off by Jason Tesson, Simone Consonni (despite crashing earlier in the day), Stian Fredheim, Juan Sebastian Molano, Phil Bauhaus, Emilien Jeannière and Luca Mozzato.

That’s a lot of very good results for many less-fancied names, and does beg the question - where were the other top favourites? Philipsen and Merlier were a predictable top two, but there was no sign of Groenewegen, Jakobse, Demare, De Kleijn, Welsford, Meeus or Gaviria, to name a few.

Despite the incident in the finale, runner-up Merlier didn’t use his post-race interview to air any frustrations towards Philipsen. “It was a hectic finish, but sprinting is not that easy.”

Thanks for joining us today. The next big classics meet will be on Friday for Gent-Wevelgem, where someone other than Jasper Philipsen will have to win as he’s not riding. His teammate Mathieu van der Poel is though, and will be taking on all the great and the good of classics racing - including his old nemesis Wout van Aert, for what will be their first meet of the road season. It promises to be a thriller!