Ronde van Vlaanderen Race Preview: The Tour of Flanders is the perfect one-day race within the World, okay, I mentioned it. Paris-Roubaix is phenomenal, nevertheless it’s flat. Vlaanderens Mooiste (Flanders’ Most Lovely) has cobbles, but additionally has murderously brief, steep climbs. It additionally has the loopy, Flemish bike followers. De Ronde by no means disappoints. Right here is the PEZ 2025 Flanders Preview:
2024 Tour of Flanders
2024 Tour of Flanders
Final yr Mathieu van der Poel was anticipated to win the 2024 Tour of Flanders, however the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider took an epic Ronde with solo effort within the Flemish rain, going solo from the Koppenberg. Surprisingly, Luca Mozzato (Arkéa-B&B Inns) was second and Michael Matthews was third, however the Australian was declassed in favour of Nils Politt (UAE Workforce Emirates). After 20 kilometres a bunch of eight made their escape: Bert Van Lerberghe (Soudal Fast-Step), Luke Durbridge & Elmar Reinders (Jayco AlUla), Damien Touzé (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), Lionel Taminiaux (Lotto Dstny), Stanislaw Aniolkowski (Cofidis), David Dekker (Arkéa-B&B Inns) and Jelle Vermoote (Bingoal WB). At first they had been chased, nevertheless it suited the staff’s of the favourites and so their lead was allowed to extend. Alpecin-Deceuninck and Lidl-Trek took management of the peloton for Mathieu van der Poel and Mads Pedersen and so the break quickly had a lead of 4:20, however that was their most. There was loads of followers on the roadside, this brought on not less than three crashes one appeared notably unhealthy for a lady spectator. Unusually, the primary counter-attack got here from Alpecin-Deceuninck, however Visma | Lease a Bike chased down Axel Laurence after which, with 110 kilometres to go, Matteo Jorgenson stored going. Pedersen additionally made a transfer, however all the things calmed down once more. On the Molenberg, 100 kilometres from the end, there was extra fireworks.
Mads Pedersen managed to experience up the Koppenberg
As soon as once more it was Pedersen, this time with Jorgenson and Van der Poel on his wheel. A really robust group broke away from them, which was a harmful scenario for the World champion. A gaggle of Pedersen, Dylan van Baarle, Tiesj Benoot, Nils Politt and Oliver Naesen had a spot. The Alpecin-Deceuninck males didn’t permit the hole to get too large after which Van der Poel closed the hole on the Valkenberg with a powerful effort. Pedersen wasn’t completed and went once more, however he had Gianni Vermeersch on his wheel, MvdP’s teammate. Pedersen and Vermeersch stayed off the entrance and climbed Berg Ten Houte with none issues. Within the peloton, Alpecin-Deceuninck had been in management and stored the hole small. Stefan Küng, who crashed with spectators, was capable of return. The rain and moist roads made the race very nervous within the run-up to the second passage of the Oude Kwaremont. Oier Lazkano put the strain on, on the Kwaremont, however Van der Poel closed the hole to Pedersen and Vermeersch. On the prime, solely Pedersen, Lazkano, Dylan Teuns, Laurence Pithie and Tim Wellens had been nonetheless on the wheel of the World champion, after which a bunch together with Jorgenson and Matej Mohorič was capable of be part of them. The primary time over the Paterberg the race was break up, however the gaps had been nonetheless small. Within the run-up to the Koppenberg the teams of favourites got here again collectively. Iván García jumped away and began the cobbles climb of the Koppenberg with a slight lead, however he had a mechanical drawback and needed to cease. Mathieu van der Poel got here storming previous with Matteo Jorgenson and Mads Pedersen behind him. The others weren’t so fortunate and needed to run up the climb.
Mathieu van der Poel solo after the Koppenberg
The tempo that Van der Poel set on the Koppenberg was the decisive transfer of the day. Jorgenson had the World champion in sight excessive, however Van der Poel now had the bit between his enamel and took time on everybody. By the Traaiberg the lead was already 50 seconds on the American, who needed to drop again to a bunch with Bettiol, Teuns, García, Wellens, Pedersen and Laurenz Rex. The cooperation was not good and so Van der Poel over one and a half minutes with 30 kilometres to go. He nonetheless had the Oude Kruisberg/Hotond, Oude Kwaremont and the Paterberg to deal with. Behind Van der Poel, the battle for the opposite podium locations was on. On the Hotond, Teuns and Bettiol broke away, however they had been practically 2 minutes behind Van der Poel. The World champion needed to endure booing and a beer bathe the final time on Kwaremont. No issues on the Paterberg earlier than the 13 flat kilometre to Oudenaarde. Van der Poel took his third victory within the Tour of Flanders, after his victories in 2020 and 2022. Greater than 1 minute behind Van der Poel, Bettiol and Teuns had been racing for the rostrum, however there was a big group developing from behind. Within the ending straight, Teuns and Bettiol began to play a sport of poker, permitting the chasing group to catch them within the final 200 metres. Surprisingly second place went to Luca Mozzato (Arkéa-B&B Inns), who had a giant battle with Michael Matthews (Jayco AlUla). After the end the race jury declassed the Australian for his ‘swap’ to at least one aspect. Nils Politt (UAE Workforce Emirates) was awarded third place.
Van der Poel’s third Ronde win in 2024
2024 Ronde van Vlaanderen Outcome:
1. Mathieu van der Poel (Ned) Alpecin-Deceuninck in 6:05:17
2. Luca Mozzato (Ita) Arkéa-B&B Inns at 1:02
3. Nils Politt (Ger) UAE Workforce Emirates
4. Mikkel Bjerg (Den) UAE Workforce Emirates
5. António Morgado (Por) UAE Workforce Emirates
6. Magnus Sheffield (USA) INEOS Grenadiers
7. Oliver Naesen (Bel) Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale
8. Dylan Teuns (Bel) Israel-Premier Tech
9. Alberto Bettiol (Ita) EF Schooling-EasyPost
10. Toms Skujiņš (Lat) Lidl-Trek.
Tom Boonen on three De Ronde wins
Achiel Buysse, Fiorenzo Magni, Eric Leman, Johan Museeuw, Tom Boonen, Fabian Cancellara and Mathieu van der Poel are all on three wins, can the Dutchman take the file?
The final 10 Winners of De Ronde:
2024: Mathieu van der Poel (Ned)
2023: Tadej Pogačar (Slo)
2022: Mathieu van der Poel (Ned)
2021: Kasper Asgreen (Den)
2020: Mathieu van der Poel (Ned)
2019: Alberto Bettiol (Ita)
2018: Niki Terpstra (Ned)
2017: Philippe Gilbert (Bel)
2016: Peter Sagan (Slov)
2015: Alexander Kristoff (Nor).
Johan Museeuw additionally on three wins
Route:
The Tour of Flanders began in Antwerp final yr, so this yr it’s the flip of Brugge and the peloton will depart from the Markt at 10am. There are just a few small modifications to earlier years: The run-up to the finale has been adjusted barely, however the finale itself is unchanged.
2025 De Ronde van Vlaanderen map
Within the first hundred kilometres of the race, the riders will go by way of Beernem, Aalter and Zulte, and different cities/villages. After 109 kilometres, the riders will hit the primary impediment, the cobblestones of Doorn, then there may be the primary of three climbs of the Oude Kwaremont. The second climb is the Eikenberg, which was not a part of the route in 2024, when the beginning was in Antwerp. There may be additionally a change in comparison with 2023, the final time the Tour of Flanders began in Bruges. After the Eikenberg, Wolvenberg and Holleweg, the Karel Martelstraat replaces the cobbles of Kerkgate. So there are just a few modifications, however the finale of the Tour of Flanders stays the identical. Beginning with the cobbles of Jagerij, the climb of the Molenberg, the Paddestraat, the Berendries and eventually the Valkenberg, all inside thirty kilometres.
Mads Pedersen on the Koppenberg
The summit of the Valkenberg is just below 90 kilometres from the end, after 180 kilometres. An assault on the Berg Ten Houte or the Hotond, the subsequent hills on the course is feasible, however very early. After the Hotond, the route goes to the Oude Kwaremont for the second time after which the Paterberg. The primary passage of the Paterberg all the time supplies motion, because the Koppenberg is developing. The very robust Koppenberg is the place the favourites will present their hand. The Steenbeekdries and Taaienberg come very quickly. Then the Hotond, which it’s about ten kilometres earlier than the final passage of the Oude Kwaremont.
2025 De Ronde van Vlaanderen profile
That final passage of the Oude Kwaremont comes 16.7 kilometres from the end. That is the place a number one group of prime males will put the strain on for the penultimate time. 13.2 kilometres from the end the Paterberg comes once more, it’s lower than 400 metres lengthy, however made for the puncheurs. After the highest of the Paterberg, there are 13 flat kilometres to Oudenaarde. A solo isn’t unimaginable, however the wind will probably be an element as it may be fairly robust. If a big group continues to be collectively, then techniques will probably be vital. The end is on the extensive Minderbroedersstraat in Oudenaarde. Excellent for a bunch dash or a solo victor.
When will Mathieu van der Poel make his transfer
Climbs
1. Oude Kwaremont (2,200 metres at 4%)
2. Eikenberg (1,200 metres at 5.1%)
3. Wolvenberg (645 metres at 7.9%)
4. Molenberg (463 metres at 7%)
5. Berendries (940 metres at 7%)
6. Valkenberg (540 metres at 8.1%)
7. Berg Ten Houte (1,100 metres at 6%)
8. Hotond/Nieuwe Kruisberg (2,500 metres at 5%)
9. Oude Kwaremont (2,200 metres at 4%)
10. Paterberg (360 metres at 12.9%)
11. Koppenberg (600 metres at 11.6%)
12. Steenbeekdries (700 metres at 5.3%)
13. Taaienberg (530 metres at 6.6%)
14. Hotond/Nieuwe Kruisberg (2,500 metres at 5%)
15. Oude Kwaremont (2,200 metres at 4%)
16. Paterberg (360 metres at 12.9%).
Cobbles
1. Doorn (1,650 metres)
2. Holleweg (900 metres)
3. Karel Martelstraat (1,300 metres)
4. Jagerij (800 metres)
5. Paddestraat (2,500 metres)
6. Mariaborrestraat (2,400 metres)
7. Stationsberg (600 metres).
These Flemish cobbles
The Favourites
The 2 prime males of the second, Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogačar, will meet up once more within the Tour of Flanders for a repeat (we hope) of their battle in Milan-Sanremo. Pogačar attacked in La Primavera, however Van der Poel was capable of reply simply earlier than the summit of the Poggio after which dash to victory on the Through Roma. There’s a good likelihood that we’ll see a duel once more in Flanders on Sunday.
One other duel on Sunday
If we take a look at the latest outcome, Van der Poel has a slight benefit. The Dutchman’s ‘worst’ outcome was a fourth place on his first look in 2019. His different outcomes are 1st in 2020, 2nd in 2021, 1st in 2022, 2nd in 2023 and 1st in 2024. If he takes his fourth victory this yr, he’ll develop into the file holder. In the intervening time, he’s on three wins with Johan Museeuw, Fabian Cancellara, Tom Boonen, Eric Leman, Fiorenzo Magni and Achiel Buysse. Van der Poel has gained 50% of his participations, however the identical goes for Pogačar. The Slovenian began in 2022 and 2023. In his first participation he completed 4th, however a yr later, Pogačar dropped everybody, together with Van der Poel, on the Oude Kwaremont after which soloed to victory in Oudenaarde. Pogačar could make a distinction ahead of in Milan-Sanremo. The climbs come one after the opposite in fast succession within the finale and the Koppenberg and Paterberg are comparatively brief, however so much steeper than the Cipressa and Poggio. There may be additionally the Oude Kwaremont, the place he can strive once more. Pogačar should eliminate the Dutchman (and everybody else), as a result of if it involves a dash between the 2, he’ll greater than possible end second. Van der Poel confirmed his dash in Milan-Sanremo, he’s a quicker and smarter sprinter than Pogačar.
There are extra locations for Pogačar to assault in De Ronde
There are different contenders: Wout van Aert is all the time a essential challenger, however the Belgian just isn’t at his greatest (Don’t point out Wednesday’s Dwars Door Vlaanderen). He was disappointing within the ‘Opening Weekend’ and within the E3 Saxo Traditional, after his altitude coaching camp in Tenerife, he was additionally unable to impress. The Visma | Lease a Bike Belgian rode an invisible race and end in fifteenth place. However we will’t write Van Aert off. Riders typically want a while after an altitude coaching camp to search out their greatest kind and the subsequent two weekends is when he needs to peak. The Tour of Flanders can be a special race from all of the earlier races of the season, particularly for a Belgian, a Flemish one at that. Van Aert appeared to have hassle positioning himself within the E3 Traditional, however the additional kilometres in Flanders will slim down the peloton earlier than the ultimate, making positioning simpler. There was loads of dialogue on Van Aert having an issue and criticism, particularly within the Belgian press, of his preparation and race schedule, so Van Aert may have the strain on his shoulders to indicate his actual value and he doesn’t maintain again from a combat.
Don’t write Van Aert off
Then there may be the opposite man on kind for the time being, Mads Pedersen. After a powerful last weekend in Paris-Good, the Dane was not so good in Milan-Sanremo, however he had been in poor health the week earlier than ‘La Primavera’. Within the E3 Saxo Traditional, Pedersen was again to full health. The Lidl-Trek rider attacked on the Taaienberg and was the strongest rider within the race… behind Van der Poel. He misplaced greater than a minute to the Dutchman, however he additionally put a minute into Filippo Ganna. Then you definately’re in fine condition. Two days later, Pedersen was the favorite to win Gent-Wevelgem and he didn’t disappoint. With a powerful solo of 56 kilometre, he took the win. This was his third Gent-Wevelgem win, however to do the identical in De Ronde is a special proposition. Pedersen rode his greatest Flanders in 2018, his Ronde debut, he completed second, behind Niki Terpstra. He has ridden the Tour of Flanders six extra occasions, ending within the prime ten twice. Eighth in 2022, third in 2023. He should be one of many ‘better of the remainder’.
Mads Pedersen has the shape, however…
Filippo Ganna ought to end increased than he has earlier than in De Ronde. The Italian didn’t end in 2018 and was 98th in 2019. It has been six years since he has ridden the Tour of Flanders, so we will’t actually draw any conclusions from his previous outcomes, however in latest weeks, Ganna has been in storming kind. In Tirreno-Adriatico he completed second total after profitable the primary stage and holding the lead for 5 days. He then took second place in Milan-Sanremo behind Van der Poel and forward of Pogačar, and a 3rd place within the E3 Saxo Traditional. In Sanremo he was the one one who may go along with the ‘Massive Two’ within the finale. Within the E3 he took his first podium place in a Flemish traditional. In each races Ganna appeared good, however he was all the time following. Additionally on the brief climbs he’s on the heavy aspect to have the wanted explosiveness for the Tour of Flanders. Within the E3 Saxo Traditional he suffered on the brief, steep Flemish climbs.
Third once more for Ganna? If he’s fortunate
Visma | Lease a Bike doesn’t solely have Wout van Aert. The most important contender within the Dutch staff could possibly be Matteo Jorgenson. The winner of Paris-Good can be a budding Classics-man and he has appeared extra alert within the one-day races than Van Aert. The American takes initiative and is filled with self-confidence. Jorgenson was within the early first peloton of the E3 Saxo Traditional, though he needed to go ‘full gasoline’ to get in that group and burnt too a lot of his matches. “I felt good, nevertheless it wasn’t an excellent race,” the 25-year-old rider instructed WielerFlits after the race. If the winner of final yr’s Dwars door Vlaanderen can experience a extra wise race within the Tour of Flanders, he ought to have an excellent outcome.
Matteo Jorgenson – Visma’s No.1?
Jorgenson was in the identical E3 Saxo Traditional group with Jasper Stuyven and Stefan Küng. That should have been a lift for Stuyven, as a result of he had a tough crash within the last stage of Tirreno-Adriatico. He has apparently recovered sufficient to do nicely within the Tour of Flanders. Along with Pedersen, he can kind a harmful duo for Lidl-Trek. Küng was sixth in Harelbeke for one more prime lead to a cobbled Traditional. The flat roads of Paris-Roubaix are in all probability higher suited to the Swiss rider, however he may also experience nicely in Flanders. He completed fifth in 2022 and sixth in 2023. Successful will probably be so much more durable for Küng, however a solo with others taking a look at one another behind, is a chance.
Stefan Küng may shock?
Biniam Girmay will probably be hoping for a bunch end in Oudenaarde. The Intermarché-Wanty chief hasn’t had the perfect preparations for the Spring Classics resulting from his spouse giving delivery to their second daughter. However he did experience nicely in Milan-San Remo, the place he was fourteenth and Gent-Wevelgem, taking seventh. Milan-Sanremo was his first race in nearly a month, so he ought to have the ‘race rhythm’ again in his legs for Sunday.
Biniam Girmay must be again in kind
Tim Wellens rode a powerful Milan-Sanremo. The Belgian will probably be Pogačar’s domestique, but when he’s in a lead group with the World champion, they will play an attacking sport. On this scenario, Wellens could possibly be a winner. He’s definitely on kind for the time being, as he confirmed on the Cipressa, he completed eighth within the E3 Saxo Traditional and third in Strade Bianche.
Tim Wellens – UAE’s second man?
The Outsiders: Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ), Toms Skujiņš (Lidl-Trek), Oliver Naesen (Decathlon AG2R), Tim van Dijke (Pink Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), Magnus Sheffield (INEOS Grenadiers), Michael Matthews (Jayco AlUla), Dylan Teuns (Cofidis), Luca Mozzato (Arkéa-B&B Inns), Tiesj Benoot & Dylan van Baarle (Visma | Lease a Bike), Florian Vermeersch & Jhonatan Narvàez (UAE Emirates XRG), Søren Wærenskjold & Alexander Kristoff (Uno-X Mobility), Matteo Trentin & Rick Pluimers (Tudor).
If Pogačar can’t eliminate Van der Poel earlier than the end, it’s laborious to see the Dutchman lose
Who’re the highest favourites?
Prime Favourites: Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogačar
Subsequent Finest: Mads Pedersen
Possible: Wout van Aert, Filippo Ganna and Matteo Jorgenson
Attainable: Stefan Küng, Jasper Stuyven, Biniam Girmay and Tim Wellens.
* The beginning line-up would possibly change earlier than Sunday. *
# Keep PEZ for the race report on Saturday and all of the information from Flanders in EUROTRASH Monday. #
Go straightforward on the beer – It’s an extended day!
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