Tour of Flanders organiser hopes local hero can make history in 100th edition
The final 150km of the 100th edition of a Tour of Flanders will be virtually the same as the 2015 edition, with race organisers claiming the route makes it hard for riders to control the race
Organisers of the Tour of Flanders have stuck with much of the tried and tested route of the previous five editions as the historic race celebrates its 100th edition in 2016.
The monstrous 255km route will see riders tackle a very similar final 150km to this year's, in which Katusha's Alexander Kristoff beat out Niki Terpstra in Oudenaarde.
>>> Watch: On-bike footage of the Tour of Flanders
Roadworks around the Molenberg have ruled the climb out of the race, while the Holleweg climb is replaced by the Jagerij.
"A number of years back there were a lot of questions about changing the course, but in the meantime, the riders have become accustomed to the course of the past four years. It ensured in recent years for a memorable race," said race organiser Wim Van Herreweghe.
"In the last 150 kilometres there is a maximum of 12 kilometers between the cobble sectors and slopes. That makes it hard to control the race."
>>> Longo Borghini laments pay gap after winning just £871 at Tour of Flanders
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The race will, once again, start in Bruges and end on Minderbroedersstraat in Oudenaarde, where Van Herreweghe hopes a home favourite can cement his place in the history books.
"[Fabian] Cancellara and [Tom] Boonen are still actively co-record holders with three wins. It would be wonderful if Boonen on the centenary edition can only record holder. Otherwise, Peter Sagan as world champion would also look good on the honour roll."
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
We rode and reviewed the Ouray, Parlee Cycles' first new bike model since facing bankruptcy
The storied American brand continues with a Portugal-made carbon steed that goes zoom but doesn’t fit like a race bike
By Tyler Boucher Published
-
Forget distance covered, these are the key stats to note in your Strava Year in Sport
We asked a coach how to best analyse our end of year Strava data
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tweets of the week: Cobbles, barbecues, and what on earth is curry ketchup?
Strap in for our pre-Paris-Roubaix round-up of social media's finest
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tadej Pogačar claims Kwaremont-Paterberg Strava KOM in Tour of Flanders romp
The two-time Tour de France winner took a host of Strava trophies in Flanders on Sunday
By Tom Davidson Published
-
CW Live: Tour of Flanders updates as Tadej Pogačar and Lotte Kopecky convincingly win; Mathieu van der Poel finishes second; Mads Pedersen beats Wout van Aert to fourth; SD Worx continue dominant spring; Bahrain-Victorious rider apologises for crash;
Join us for live updates from the Tour of Flanders as Tadej Pogačar and Lotte Kopecky win the men's and women's editions
By Chris Marshall-Bell Last updated
-
Biniam Girmay eyes Tour of Flanders and Tour de France success in 2023
After becoming first African rider to win Gent-Wevelgem, Girmay plans to take aim at the Tour of Flanders and other monuments next year
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tour of Flanders Espoirs cancelled indefinitely
The race's date, location and lack of young riders are all factors in the organiser's decision
By Ryan Dabbs Published
-
No fans at Tour of Flanders and other Classics in 2021, according to organisers
There will be no fans at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Ghent-Wevelgem, Dwars Door Vlaanderen, Scheldeprijs or Brabantse Pijl in 2021
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
How watching 25 years of Tour of Flanders footage is helping scientists study climate change
It might sound like an excuse to watch some bike racing, but scientists are using footage of the Tour of Flanders to help them study climate change.
By Henry Robertshaw Published
-
Peter Sagan: 'If the other riders don't wake up, it's going to be like this'
"It's not just me that they need to beat" Peter Sagan said of his rivals after Quick-Step Floors dominated the Tour of Flanders
By Gregor Brown Published