Sunday, April 5th, the Flemish cycling spring will reach its peak with the Tour of Flanders. This year, the men's race will start from Antwerp, while Oudenaarde will remain the base for the women's race. Many big names are set to compete, including Tadej Pogačar, Lotte Kopecky, Wout van Aert, and Mathieu van der Poel. The latter could become the sole record holder.
After the riders are individually presented to the public at Antwerp's Grote Markt, the start of the 110th edition of the men's Tour of Flanders will sound at 10:00 on Ernest van Dijckkaai. The group will then cross the city center and Meir towards the Rive Gauche for the official start.
On the way to the Flemish Ardennes, this year riders will cross 6 Tour villages: from Sint-Niklaas's Grote Markt, they'll head towards Hamme, Erpe-Mere, Haaltert, Herzele, and Zottegem, where the first cobblestone sectors on Lippenhovestraat and Paddestraat await them. The women will also cross these last two Tour villages. After starting at 13:15 from Oudenaarde's Markt, they'll head towards the cobblestones of Lange Munte towards Herzele and Zottegem.
The first of three Oude Kwaremont climbs marks the first men's climb of the day, 136 km from the finish. 45 km from the finish, both men and women will begin their final climb up the Koppenberg. The Melden climb is followed by Mariaborrestraat (this year without Steenbeekdries due to road works), Taaienberg and Oude Kruisberg/Hotond. The key section this year is once again the Oude Kwaremont - Paterberg duo, with the latter's peak 13 km from the finish on Minderbroedersstraat in Oudenaarde.
The men will reach the finish around 16:20 after approximately 270 km. The Women's Tour of Flanders winner will have covered 164 km. We'll welcome her around 17:25 on Minderbroedersstraat. Download both routes below:
The UCI WorldTour men's teams are joined by three teams automatically guaranteed thanks to their performance last season: Cofidis, Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, and Tudor Pro Cycling Team. These teams can also organize their trip to Antwerp: Burgos-BH, Team Flanders – Baloise, TotalEnergies, and Unibet Rose Rockets.
The wildcards for the women's race are: Cofidis Women Team, Laboral Kutxa – Fundación Euskadi, Lotto Intermarchè Ladies, Mayenne Monbana My Pie, St Michel – PREFERENCE HOME – Auber 93, and VolkerWessels Cycling Team.
Se sei giá nostro utente esegui il login altrimenti registrati.