Muur van Geraardsbergen returns to spring line-up, but not where you think

The Muur van Geraardsbergen is set to be included in the route of the Three Days of De Panne for the first time this year, which coincides with the 40th edition of the early season race.

The Muur, which was a decisive part of the Tour of Flanders for years before the finish was moved from Meerbeke to Oudenaarde in 2012, will by climbed twice on the opening stage of the Three Days.

The first stage of the 2016 Driedaagse de Panne will make its winding way through Flandrien Classics country on the first stage, including a passge through the new Tour of Flanders finish city.

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The finishing circuit will take in two ascents of the Muur van Geraardsbergen, which will surely make the selections and influence who pulls on the first leader's jersey, as was its function in De Ronde.

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Day two is another road stage, this time finishing in De Panne where the opening stage started. The final day takes the traditional shape of a split stage between a morning road race and an afternoon individual time trial.

"For the first time in our existence, and on our 40th anniversary edition, we will do the mythical ascent of the Muur de Geraardsbergen," race director Jurgen Van de Walle told Het Nieuwsblad.

Alexander Kristoff won the overall in 2015 before dominating the Tour of Flanders a few days later. The Norwegian will be looking to emulate this double in 2016, particularly after his Katusha team was cleared to keep racing.