Pro riders jostling for entries to first post-COVID-19 Belgian road race

LAGOS PORTUGAL FEBRUARY 19 Arrival Fabio Jakobsen of The Netherlands and Team Deceuninck Quick Step Celebration Elia Viviani of Italy and Team Cofidis Matteo Trentin of Italy and CCC Team Alexander Kristoff of Norway and UAETeam Emirates during the 46th Volta ao Algarve 2020 Stage 1 a 1956km stage from Portimo to Lagos VAlgarve2020 on February 19 2020 in Lagos Portugal Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images
(Image credit: Getty Images Sport)

Fourteen weeks into the coronavirus race stoppage, professional cyclists are itching to get back to competition so much so that 400 riders have applied for entries into the first Belgian elite men's road race since the lockdowns - the July 5 Grote Prijs Vermarc Sport.

The clothing manufacturer has planned a 167km circuit race around its factory in Rotselaar with 175 riders on the start line, still pending final approval from the Belgian federation.

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