In the absence of Slovenian Tadej Pogacar, winner in 2023, and from Belgium Wout Van Aert, recently operated on for a clavicle fracture, the 108th edition of Tour of Flanders which will take place this Sunday will have the Dutch as clear favourites Mathieu van der Poelwho is seeking his third title in this monument.
The 270.9 kilometers between Antwerp and Oudenaarde They will be a test for the greatest of the peloton, with number 1, Mathieu van der Poel, who after its historic demonstration at E3 Harelbeke and second place in Wevelgem He is looking to achieve his third round in “De Ronde.”
Van der Poel will be the boss of Alpecin, which will not have a Jesper Philipsenand despite the loss of Van Aert, Visma would bring heavy artillery with Benoot, Jorgenson and Van Baarle, all of whom were capable of bringing up their weapons at Oudenaarde.
In the list of candidates will be seen Alaphilippe, Kasper Asgreen and Lampaert in the mighty Soudal, Matej Mohoric in Bahrain, Alberto Bettiol, winner in 2019 at the helm of EF Education, without forgetting other riders such as Michael Matthews (Jayco) and Tim Wellens and Hirschi (UAE).
Movistar will once again be captained by Oier Lazkano and Iván García Cortinain a picture completed by Carlos Canal, Remi Cavagna, Johan Jacobs, Lorenzo Milesi and Albert Torres.
The old Kwaremont and the Paterberg, keys
The “De Ronde” route will have some minor changes in this edition, but the interest and the key is in the chaining of Old Kwaremont and the Paterbergthe two most famous career heights and on which Tadej Pogacar based his success last year.
The trial leaves from Antwerp, the city of diamonds, and ends in Oudenaarde, the town famous for its tapestries, the “pearl of the Flemish Ardennes” after completing 270.8 km of the route.
Regarding other editions, the passes through Kortekee, Eikenberg and Kanarienberg have been removed, and in its place was placed the Kapelleberg. The Flanders monument will have an important moment in the triple ascent to Old Kwaremont and double ascent to Paterbergthe second in the last 20 km.
Among the women, Kopecky, for the third title in a row
In the women’s exam Belgian World Champion Lotte Kopecky aims to win a third consecutive Tour of Flanders. The rainbow jersey leads the bets and leads a team, SD Worx, which will also have two candidates, Demi Vollering and Lorena Wiebes.
However, the opposition will be tough on candidates like Polish Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon), the Italians Longo Borghini and Elisa Balsamo (Lidl) and Silvia Persico (UAE) and the Dutch Marianne Vos (Visma).
Movistar team He went to the Tour of Flanders with Arlenis Sierra, Aude Biannic, Emma Norsgaard, Sheyla Gutiérrez, Floortje Mackaij and Lucía Ruiz.
The tour consists of 163 km with start and finish in Oudenaarde. This is a wear event with 12 levels and 7 cobbled sections.
The last 85 km focus on all needs, with four important moments: the Molenberg, with hard ramps; the Koppenberg, with a 22% section and where the race usually ends in pieces; the Taaienberg, short and intense, and the decisive chain of Old Kwaremont, 17 from the finish, with the Paterberg, 13, as the last climb before the Oudenaarde finish line.
Tour of Flanders – Men’s Category
Latest winners
2023. Tadej Pogacar (SLO)
2022. Mathieu Van der Poel (PSB)
2021. Kasper Asgreen (DIN)
2020. Mathieu Van der Poel (PSB)
2019. Alberto Bettiol (ITA)
Tour of Flanders – Women’s category
Latest winners
2023. Lotte Kopecky (BEL)
2022. Lotte Kopecky (BEL)
.2021. Annemiek van Vleuten (PSB)
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
