The peloton in the 2016 Tour of Flanders (Credit: Watson)
The organisers of the Tour of Flanders have announced the seven wildcard teams that will join the 18 WorldTour teams on the start line in Bruges on April 2.
As you would expect, four of the seven wildcard places go to Belgian teams, with Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise, Wanty-Groupe Gobert en Verandas Willems-Crelan, meaning only one Belgian Professional Continental team, WB Veranclassic Aqua Protect, did not receive an invitation.
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Riding my bike and eating copious amounts of food felt liberating, but it was a vicious circle.Jani Brajkovič's 17-year pro career, riding for some of the biggest teams in the world, masked deeper problems, that he is now in control of
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'When everyone starts to panic, you just need to breathe deeply': Fearless approach key to success on Giro d’Italia gravel stagePello Bilbao expects Strade Bianche-style stage on Sunday to be both a physical and mental challenge
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Professional riders need more protection from mindless 'fans' at major races to avoid another Mathieu van der Poel Paris-Roubaix bottle incidentCycling's authorities must do everything within their power to prevent spectators from assaulting riders
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British team blocked from competing in key Spring ClassicsHess Cycling not invited to Amstel Gold Race
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'Once we were four, I was really confident about winning' - Tenacious Lotte Kopecky hangs in at Tour of Flanders for victoryThe Belgian isn't interested in making history, but is just doing so accidentally
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'It's scary to see how much better he is' - Tadej Pogačar conquers all at the Tour of FlandersThe world champion won by a minute after a decisive attack on the Oude Kwaremont
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Tadej Pogačar must attack from range at the Tour of Flanders - taking Mathieu van der Poel to the line is not an optionSlovenian must look to replicate his Oude Kwaremont attack from 2023 if he wants to guarantee being first across the line in Oudenaarde
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Mathieu van der Poel surges to E3 Saxo Classic victory after dropping Mads Pedersen on the Oude KwaremontDutchman untouchable in West Flanders after distancing Pedersen and Filippo Ganna on decisive climb
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'Flanders is a race that demands a complete cyclist' - Neilson Powless aims for the Ronde in key monthThe American is set to ride Paris-Nice before taking on the Tour of Flanders and the Ardennes Classics
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Elisa Longo Borghini pips Kasia Niewiadoma on the line to win second Tour of FlandersIn-form Italian praises Lidl-Trek team after repeating feat she achieved in 2015
