Ronde van Vlaanderen Race Preview: The Tour of Flanders is largest and greatest one-day race in the World, should you ask any Flemish biking fan. It has every thing {that a} Belgian race can supply for pleasure and drama – cobbles and climbs – De Ronde by no means disappoints. Here is the race route and the favourites for Sunday’s Vlaanderens Mooiste (Flanders’ Most Beautiful).
*** You can watch ‘Chris Horner’s Flanders Preview Chat With Pez’ HERE. ***
De Ronde – Where legends are made
A bit little bit of De Ronde historical past:
This is the holy Flemish biking week (actually two weeks) and the 107th version of the Tour of Flanders is on Sunday, following the Three Days of De Panne (now the Classic Brugge – De Panne), E3 Saxo Classic, Gent–Wevelgem and Dwars door Vlaanderen. The ‘Flemish World Championships’ are all the time arduous fought for, whoever crosses that end line first in Oudenaarde will likely be a star for the remainder of his life.
Flanders first winner – Paul Deman
The first Tour of Flanders was on May 23, 1913. There had been solely 37 riders in that first occasion, which was run over 324 kilometres. After twelve hours, Paul Deman was the primary to cross the road in Mariakerke. Karel Van Wijnendaele was the person behind the race, he was a journalist and was in search of one thing new to publicise his newspaper De Sportwereld, so organising the Tour of Flanders was excellent. The early editions had been all on the exceptionally dangerous Flemish cobbles, which the organisers have tried to maintain in the race as a lot as doable. In these early years, De Ronde was sometimes held on the identical day as Milano-Sanremo.
Briek Schotte – The first Flandrien
Later the organisers wished to make adjustments and moved in the direction of the Flemish Ardennes for the climbs of the Kluisberg, Kwaremont and the Kruisberg. In 1950, after the dominance of Achiel Buysse, Briek Schotte and Fiorenzo Magni, the enduring Muur van Geraardsbergen added to the course. In the Nineteen Seventies, the Oude Kwaremont and the Koppenberg had been additionally added. These two climbs are nonetheless necessary. During that point Buysse and Magni each received the race thrice and are joint document holders.
Johan Museeuw – Three time Flanders winner (and Roubaix) on the wheel of Andrei Tchmile in Flanders 2000
Obviously, Belgians have received the Tour of Flanders essentially the most occasions, sixty-nine. Eric Leman, Johan Museeuw and Tom Boonen, similar to Buysse and Magni, have received thrice. Fabian Cancellara joined the document holders record in 2014 after his wins in 2010 and 2013. The first Dutch victory got here in 1953, when Wim van Est was the winner. He was joined by different males from the Netherlands: Jo de Roo, Evert Dolman, Cees Bal, Jan Raas (twice), Hennie Kuiper, Johan Lammerts, Adrie van der Poel, Niki Terpstra and Mathieu van der Poel (twice). The winners over the past ten years have all been prime names: Tadej Pogačar, Mathieu van der Poel, Kasper Asgreen, Alberto Bettiol, Niki Terpstra, Philippe Gilbert, Peter Sagan, Alexander Kristoff and Fabian Cancellara.
2022 Tour of Flanders
In the 2022 Tour of Flanders the race exploded on the Berendries. A counter-attack together with Alberto Bettiol, Mads Pedersen and Ben Turner shook the race up. Then Tadej Pogačar got here into motion on the Berg Ten Houte, nevertheless it was on the Oude Kwaremont that Pogačar attacked for the primary time. Kasper Asgreen was on his wheel, whereas Mathieu van der Poel and Tom Pidcock needed to chase from additional again. After the Oude Kwaremont, Dylan van Baarle escaped with Fred Wright, they had been joined on the Koppenberg by Pogačar, Van der Poel and the Frenchman, Valentin Madouas. On the following climb of the Oude Kwaremont, Pogačar gave it one other go. Van Baarle and Wright couldn’t maintain on, Madouas adopted not a lot later. On the Paterberg, Van der Poel needed to grit his tooth to carry the Slovenian. The two raced on collectively to the end in Oudenaarde, however Van der Poel and Pogačar began to play video games in the final kilometre and Van Baarle and Madouas returned to the entrance from nowhere. Madouas and Van Baarle handed Pogačar in the dash, behind second-time winner Van der Poel.
2023 Tour of Flanders
In 2023 Tadej Pogačar made up for the earlier yr. The Slovenian rode away from Mathieu van der Poel the final time up the Oude Kwaremont. He caught and handed Mads Pedersen after which soloed to his first victory in Flanders. A robust Van der Poel was second and Pedersen edged out Wout van Aert for third.
Van der Poel once more?
On the Oude Kwaremont, Pogačar determined to place in his final assault. The Slovenian set a hellish tempo, which was an excessive amount of for Van der Poel, who misplaced floor to an impressively sturdy Pogačar. The UAE rider had 10 seconds after the Oude Kwaremont, however a troublesome Van der Poel didn’t quit simply and remained at 15 seconds for a very long time. At the highest of the Paterberg, the distinction had shrunk to 12 seconds, however Pogačar was in time trial mode and wasn’t going to be caught. There was now solely two riders who might win the race, the chasers might solely have third place. Van der Poel tried every thing to get to Pogačar, however couldn’t get any nearer to the Slovenian. In reality, Pogačar was getting additional forward of Van der Poel. In the final kilometres it was arduous work for Pogačar, however the win was sure. Pogačar was the third rider to have received the Tour of Flanders and the Tour de France together with Louison Bobet and Eddy Merckx. Van der Poel needed to accept second place, his fourth podium place in 5 participations. The dash for third place was received by Pedersen, simply forward of Van Aert and Powless.
No Pogačar in 2024 – So who will win?
2023 Tour of Flanders Result:
1. Tadej Pogačar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates in 6:12:07
2. Mathieu van der Poel (Ned) Alpecin-Deceuninck at 0:16
3. Mads Pedersen (Den) Trek-Segafredo at 1:12
4. Wout van Aert (Bel) Jumbo-Visma
5. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-EasyPost
6. Stefan Küng (Sui) Groupama-FDJ
7. Kasper Asgreen (Den) Soudal Quick-Step
8. Fred Wright (GB) Bahrain Victorious
9. Matteo Jorgenson (USA) Movistar at 1:19
10. Matteo Trentin (Ita) UAE Team Emirates at 2:49.
No errors for Pogačar in 2023
Parcours
The begin of the Tour of Flanders is in Antwerp this yr. After staging the beginning in Bruggge in 2023, the organisers have chosen to return to the port metropolis. Obviously that makes adjustments the primary 100 kilometres of the route. “These are selections based mostly on security. We are trying much more on the principle roads in order that the peloton has room to realize pace,” mentioned race director Scott Sunderland on the race web site. Also the Kortekeer and the Kanarieberg aren’t included in the route this yr, however the Kapelleberg is.
The 2024 begin is in Antwerp
After the beginning in Antwerp, the primary 100 kilometres of the 270.8 kilometres race, the peloton passes via Sint-Niklaas, Hamme, Haaltert, Herzele and Zottegem to achieve the Flemish Ardennes, the place the race will actually begin. The Lippenhovestraat and the Paddestraat are the primary difficulties of the day after 104 kilometres of racing.
The riders will then race over the same old finale of the Ronde van Vlaanderen. After 136 kilometres they tackle the primary passage of the Oude Kwaremont. From then on the climbs and cobbles come one after the opposite in fast succession. The Kapelleberg, the cobbles of the Holleweg, the Wolvenberg, the cobbles of the Kerkgate and the Jagerij, the climb of the Molenberg, the Marlboroughstraat, the Berendries and eventually the Valkenberg all inside 30 kilometres.
The Berendries
The prime of the Valkenberg is just below 90 kilometres from the end. At that time the riders have accomplished 180 kilometres. After the Valkenberg, if you’re nonetheless there, there may be time to assault. This is feasible on the Berg Ten Houte or the Hotond. After the Hotond it’s the Oude Kwaremont for the second time after which to the Paterberg. The first passage of the Paterberg all the time causes motion because the Koppenberg is subsequent on the horizon. “We have made the run-up to the Koppenberg extra straight ahead and we now have eradicated the descent and sharp bend simply earlier than the ascent,” the organisers defined. The robust Koppenberg is the place the place the favourites will make their mark. The Mariaborrestraat, Steenbeekdries and Traaiberg are one other alternative for assaults. Traaiberg is adopted by the Hotond, then there are 10 kilometres to the Oude Kwaremont for the final time.
The Oude Kwaremont is 16.7 kilometres from the end. The cream ought to have already come to the highest of the milk by this level and now’s the time for them to make life arduous for one another earlier than their ultimate likelihood, 13.2 kilometres from the end on the Paterberg. The Paterberg is brief at lower than 400 metres and splendid for the extra explosive riders. From the summit there are 13 flat kilometres to Oudenaarde. The wind will be sturdy on the run-in to the end, robust for a solo rider, but when there’s a group, then ways will come into play for a dash on the extensive Minderbroedersstraat in Oudenaarde.
Pogačar and Van der Poel on the Paterberg Flanders’22
The Climbs:
1. Oude Kwaremont (2.200 metres at 4%)
2. Kapelleberg (1.100 metres at 5,9%)
3. Wolvenberg (645 metres at 7,9%)
4. Molenberg (463 metres at 7%)
5. Marlboroughstraat (2.000 metres at 3%)
6. Berendries (940 metres at 7%)
7. Valkenberg (540 metres at 8,1%)
8. Berg Ten Houte (1.100 metres at 6%)
9. Hotond/Nieuwe Kruisberg (2500 metres at 5%)
10. Oude Kwaremont (2.200 metres at 4%)
11. Paterberg (360 metres at 12,9%)
12. Koppenberg (600 metres at 11,6%)
13. Steenbeekdries (700 metres at 5,3%)
14. Taaienberg (530 metres at 6,6%)
15. Hotond/Nieuwe Kruisberg (2.500 metres at 5%)
16. Oude Kwaremont (2.200 metres at 4%)
17. Paterberg (360 metres at 12,9%).
The Cobbled Sections:
1. Lippenhovestraat (1.100 metres)
2. Paddestraat (2.300 metres)
3. Holleweg (900 metres)
4. Kerkgate (2.500 metres)
5. Jagerij (800 metres)
6. Mariaborrestraat (2.400 metres)
7. Stationsberg (600 metres).
It might all occur on the Paterberg
The Favourites:
Mathieu van der Poel is the highest favorite for the Tour of Flanders once more. The World champion received the E3 Saxo Classic final Friday. He made his transfer on the Paterberg after which soloed 40 kilometres to the end. Jasper Stuyven and Wout van Aert had been over a minute down, though Van Aert had crashed. “After the World championships in Glasgow, that is my greatest stage ever,” Van der Poel mentioned after the E3 Saxo Classic. In Gent-Wevelgem, Van der Poel was overwhelmed in the dash by Mads Pedersen, however he had completed lots of work chasing down Pedersen’s teammate, Jonathan Milan, and in addition he appeared to be using in the wind greater than he would in De Ronde. The World champion additionally has a troublesome E3 in his legs. However, we now have seen it earlier than that the Dutchman is just not 100% in his final race for the Tour of Flanders. Van der Poel already has a formidable Flanders palmarès: In his first Tour of Flanders in 2029 he was 4th, he received in 2020, 2nd in 2021, received in 2022 and 2nd in 2023. If he wins for a 3rd time, he will likely be an equal document holder. Van der Poel can have Søren Kragh Andersen, Gianni Vermeersch and, for the primary time in Flanders, Jasper Philipsen. The Milano-Sanremo winner might pull off one other huge win, however extra probably a top-10 because the climbs and cobbles will take their toll.
Will this be the sight on Sunday in Oudenaarde?
Wout van Aert, would have been one of many prime favourites, however the Belgian of Visma | Lease a Bike crashed in Wednesday’s Dwars Door Vlaanderen and broke a collar bone and ribs, he wont be using on Sunday, or for the following few weeks. The Dutch workforce can also be weak as a result of accidents and illness, Christophe Laporte is not sure as a result of on going issues and Dylan van Baarle and Jan Tratnik are all affected by accidents. The workforce is definitely not as sturdy as final yr, however Matteo Jorgenson, the winner of Dwars Door Vlaanderen is now the person to observe. The American received Paris-Nice, third in the factors, fifth in the KOM and greatest younger rider, he adopted that up with fifth in the E3 Saxo Classic. Tiesj Benoot additionally regarded good on Wednesday, possibly all is just not misplaced for the boys in yellow.
Matteo Jorgenson or Tiesj Benoot?
Lidl-Trek has been essentially the most noticeable workforce in the Classics up to now. In the E3 Saxo Classic that they had 4 riders in the highest 11, with Jasper Stuyven taking second place after a great Milan-San Remo, however he was in the identical crash as Van Aert and wont be on the beginning line. Mads Pedersen was additionally good in the E3 Saxo Classic, however solely completed eleventh. He had an amazing season begin with wins in the Etoile de Bessèges and Tour de Provence, plus an excellent Paris-Nice and 4th in Milano-Sanremo, then he received Gent-Wevelgem final week. He regarded stronger than Van der Poel at occasions and beat him in the dash. With these outcomes, Pedersen has moved himself up into the highest favorite for Sunday, together with Van der Poel and Van Aert.
Mads Pedersen should now be one of many favourites
Tim Wellens takes the management of the UAE Team Emirates from final yr’s winner, Tadej Pogačar. The Flemish rider has been fairly profitable in latest races, he was second in Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne and fourth in the E3 Saxo Classic. Wellens has the shape, however the win can be troublesome. He will undoubtably he a strong-man in the race and will make the distinction in the finale.
Tim Wellens – Probably not a winner, however a person to observe
Matej Mohorič (Bahrain Victorious) and Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ) will even be seen on the entrance in the Tour of Flanders. Both have been racing effectively, however possibly not at their full potential. Both groups even have back-up males in Fred Wright and Valentin Madouas, they might cut up the race or make a late transfer.
Fred Wright and Matej Mohorič – Possible?
Biniam Girmay appeared to be again to his previous kind in E3 Saxo Classic. The Intermarché-Wanty rider has been quiet, however final Friday he was amongst the motion. He was missing a little bit on the end and was nineteenth, then in Gent-Wevelgem he took seventh. Spanish champion, Oier Lazkano, continues to be younger at 24 and wishes extra Classic expertise. This yr he has already received the Clásica Jaén and was third in Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne. Jhonatan Narváez took sixth place in the E3 and the Ecuadorian would be the chief of INEOS Grenadiers, however he crashed out of Gent-Wevelgem and was affected by concussion, so he has a query mark subsequent to his identify in the intervening time.
Biniam Girmay mixing it with Fred Wright and Stefan Küng in Gent-Wevelgem
Patrick Lefevere has not been impressed by his Soudal Quick-Step males in the Classics up to now this season. His riders had been invisible in The E3 Saxo Classic, they had been a bit higher in Gent-Wevelgem, however the Belgian workforce aren’t the powerhouse they had been, for a lot of totally different causes. Julian Alaphilippe and Kasper Asgreen ave each been seen, however for little end result. The French double World champion has mentioned that De Ronde is his favorite race and he has to take his revenge for his crash right into a moto again in 2020.
Alaphilippe might need received in 2020
2019 winner, Alberto Bettiol, has received Milano–Torino, third Overall in the Étoile de Bessèges and fifth Milano–Sanremo, however didn’t end the E3 Saxo Classic after a crash, so he’s one other favorite rider with a query mark.
Alberto Bettiol is aware of how you can win De Ronde
Then there are the outsiders: Alexander Kristoff (Uno-X Mobility), Dylan Teuns (Israel-Premier Tech), Matteo Trentin (Tudor), Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates) and Vincenzo Albanese (Arkéa-B&B Hotels). Trentin might be the most certainly rider to do one thing on Sunday, he has the shape and all the time performs effectively in Flanders.
Matteo Trentin – The better of the outsiders
So, who’re the favourites?
Top: Mathieu van der Poel
Maybe: Mads Pedersen
Possibly: Matteo Jorgenson, Tiesj Benoot, Tim Wellens
Outside: Matej Mohorič, Stefan Küng, Jhonatan Narváez(?), Jasper Philipsen.
* The begin line-up may change earlier than Sunday. *
Mathieu van der Poel – The No.1 favorite once more?
# Stay PEZ for the ‘Race Report’ on Sunday and all of the information in ‘EUROTRASH’ Monday. #
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