Hugo Coorevits was for many years a leading voice at Het Nieuwsblad and is now an analyst at Wielerflits. So the Flemish journalist takes us inside the Tour of Flanders phenomenon.

What does cycling represent in Belgium?
«A great deal. From February to May and in summer during the Tour, it's undisputedly the number one sport. Even friendly matches between the Red Devils and the United States in Mexico during the World Cup don't compare. This weekend there will be matches in the top division, but the times have been scheduled so that everyone can watch the Tour of Flanders final live».

Try to describe the Tour of Flanders. Why does this race continue to grow more and more?
«It's the highlight event of the year, it's simply everything that Flanders has to offer in a single day. Everyone knows that on Sunday there's the Ronde, even those who don't follow the race, and everyone goes. Because it's a unique event. It's a fantastic experience for the whole family. If the Giro d'Italia passes through your town, you go watch it. If the Tour passes nearby, you go with your family to a scenic point along the route. In Flanders, this happens every year. The grandfather goes to the roadside with his son and grandson, it's in the DNA of Flemish people. That's how the passion for cycling is passed down from generation to generation. In every town there's also a celebration program, from a barbecue to a village party. Teenagers go there with their friends. They prefer to go watch the race on the road rather than challenge themselves with video games or spend time on social media. It also plays an important role that the best Belgian riders are always among the favorites».

How has Flanders changed in recent years?
«It has grown exponentially in popularity since it came under the management of Flanders Classics. First there's the E3 Saxo Classic in Harelbeke, followed by Gand-Wevelgem and, as the ultimate warm-up, the Dwars door Vlaanderen in Waregem. These are all classics that stand on their own, but also serve as a springboard for the Tour of Flanders. Vandenhaute is the man who conceived and promoted this sequence. As a visionary, he foresaw that the Flemish Ardennes region would become a tourist magnet for fourteen days. And his prediction came true. Hotels and bed and breakfasts are fully booked».

And then the protagonists, even from Grand Tours like Pogacar, who race it.
«Thanks also to the internationalization of cycling, the Tour of Flanders continues to grow in importance every year. It's also the only sport where you see the best riders speeding right in front of your nose. The fact that Tadej Pogacar also loves to race it (he won it twice: 2023 and 2025, ed.) contributes to its popularity. Now that Remco Evenepoel is making his debut, it adds a further element of excitement for our fellow countrymen».

Can you give us an analysis of what we should expect on Sunday? For the first time, Van Aert, Van der Poel and Evenepoel will be in a Monument Classic together. Do you want to make a prediction?
«Pogacar could become co-holder of the record if he wins. But it would be even more impressive if Van der Poel beat the world champion, because in that case the Tour of Flanders would have a new record holder with four victories. The big favorite is Pogacar, the tougher the Tour of Flanders gets, the more it favors the Slovenian. If Van der Poel writes cycling history in Flanders, he'll deserve it. One thing is certain: this Monument doesn't allow "pancakes" in its honor roll. In the first edition in 1913 there were only words, then you saw what the Tour of Flanders is. Evenepoel makes his debut on Sunday and I predict he could play a decisive role in the race: whether he can prevent it from turning into a duel between Van der Poel and Pogacar, or a solo effort by the two-time world champion, is another question. I have a feeling that Evenepoel's presence is not a disadvantage for Van Aert. They'll be traveling companions on Sunday».