Pogacar and Van der Poel met on the Tour of Flanders

After the descent of the Belgian Covid Wout Van Aert and the absence of two -time French world champion Julian Alaphilippe, the spotlights point out Tadej Pogacar at Mathieu Van der Poel as favorites to be crowned kings of the 106th edition of touring the flanderswhich will take place this Sunday between Antwerp and Oudenaarde, with a 272.5 km route that includes 18 walls and 7 cobbled sections.

In a snowstorm in Flanders, the main event at the second monument of the year came, the jewel in the crown of the Belgian cycling classic, once again disputed with enough public and attractions to justify the hope that “De Ronde” is provoking the country. of passion for cycling.

Alaphilippe’s rainbow won’t come out, nor will Belgian champion Wout Van Aert, but Tour double winner Tadej Pogacar was, “excited and under no pressure” for riding the cobblestones, and Van der Poel, was immense on Wednesday in A Through Flanders. Both will be favorites in a trial that is open to other options.

The candidates are many and have quality. Jumbo Visma, which still lacks Van Aert, will have Benoot and Laporte in great form, against rivals like the Ineos block with Pidcock, Jonathan Narváez and Van Baarle, the Fast Step with Kasper Asgreen, defending champion, Trek Segafredo with Stuyven and Pedersen and Lotto Soudal with Campenaerts and Welles.

Other fit and aspiring riders include Swiss Stefan Kung (Groupama) and Milan San Remo winner, and Slovenian Matej Mohoric (Bahrain).

Movistar will feature Iván García Cortina and Alex Aranburu as the leaders of the formation, which will be supported by Johan Jacobs, Imanol Erviti, Max Kanter, Íñigo Elosegui and Mathias Norsgaard.

The Tour of Flanders, with its 272 kilometers, 20 more than last year, between Antwerp and Oudenaarde, is the second longest classic on the calendar after Milan San Remo. The 18 walls and 7 cobbled sections are the hallmark of a true symbol of Belgian sport and world cycling.

This year’s organization shared mileage across three circuits around the Oudenaarde finish line. All three end at Oude Kwaremont, adding to the last two the route to the shortest and most difficult, Paterberg, the last hurdle 13 km from the finish line.

The route contains climbs that cause damage to the second circuit, including the Molenberg (km 171), and the third and final there will be the most decisive climbs, the Koppenberg (km 228), with ramp up to 20%; the Steenbeekdries chain (km 233) includes the Taaienberg (km 236), and the Kruisberg (km 246). These areas will determine the fate of a career that can end in a painful chase down the long straight road to the finish.

Van Vleuten, favorite in the female category

The women’s event that will take place before the men’s consists of 158 km with a start and end in Oudenaarde.

Movistar will come out with the undisputed leadership of Van Vleuten, double winner of “Ronde”, who will be supported by Emma Norsgaard, Cuban Arlenis Sierra, Alicia González, Aude Biannic and Barbara Guarischi.

2022 Tour of Flanders

273 kilometers

The 18 walls of the Tour of Flanders:
Old Kwaremont (2 kms to 4%. Cobblestone)
Kortekeer (900m, 6.6%)
Achterberg (1.5km to 4.2%)
Wolvenberg (600m by 6.7%)
Molenberg (460 m, 7%, 300 m. Cobbles)
Marlbouroughstraat (2 km, 3%)
Berendries (940m, 7%)
Valkenberg (540m, 8.1%)
Berg Ten Houte (1100 m, 6%. Cobblestone)
Kanarieberg (1000m, 7.7%)
Old Kwaremont (2.2 km, 4%, cobblestone)
Paterberg (400m at 9.7%, cobbles)
Koppenberg (600m, 11.6%, cobbles)
Steenbeekdries (700m, 5.3%)
Taaienberg (530 m, 6.6%. Cobblestone)
Kruisberg (2.5 km, 5%, max 9%, cobbles)
Old Kwaremont (2.2 km, 4%. Cobblestone)
Paterberg (360 m, 12.9%. Cobblestone)

Final winners:
2021: Kasper Asgreen (Din)
2020: Mathieu Van der Poel (PB)
2019: Alberto Bettiol (Italy)
2018: Niki Terpstra (PB)
2017: Philippe Gilbert (Bel)
2016: Peter Sagan (Svq)