The cycling fever in Belgium culminates once again on Sunday (from 10.30 a.m., live on Eurosport) in the Tour of Flanders. This time, 18 of the notorious hills (“hellingen”) and seven cobblestone passages have to be mastered on the 272.5 kilometers of the “Ronde”.
The crème de la crème of the scene gathers once again for the 106th edition of the classic. Only local hero Wout van Aert, one of the big favorites, is weakening. His jumbo team said the multiple cyclocross world champion, who has also become a force on the road, is not feeling well and a start is in the balance.
In contrast to his longtime arch-rival Mathieu van der Poel, who won the dress rehearsal on Wednesday with “Dwars door Vlaanderen”. He will also be accompanied by Wolfsegger Michael Gogl on the narrow streets of Flanders on Sunday. “It’s a really unique, extremely tough race, you’re in an epicenter of cycling here, the spectators along the route are celebrating a folk festival,” says Gogl. Its captain won this tour in 2020, which is one of the five great monuments of the sport.
Oude Kwaremont, Paterberg, Koppenberg – toxic climbs that will melt the tongue of every cycling fan, ring in the finale of the race again this time (from kilometer 218). In which the two-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar also wants to play a role at its premiere. With an active driving style on Wednesday, the strong Slovene had no teething problems on the unfamiliar terrain. His compatriot Matej Mohoric also seems dangerous after the triumph at Milan – San Remo. (free)
Source: Nachrichten
