Spring classics predictions have gotten wild with so many contenders emerging. As someone who’s followed the Tour of Flanders obsessively for over a decade, I learned everything there is to know about what makes this race special. Today, I will share it all with you.
That’s what makes De Ronde endearing to us classics fanatics — cobbles, climbs, chaos, and courage all packed into one brutal day.
Why This Race Matters
Probably should have led with this section, honestly — the Tour of Flanders is cycling’s toughest one-day race.
Started in 1913. Paused only for world wars. Over 250 kilometers of Belgian roads including legendary cobbled climbs. The Koppenberg. The Oude Kwaremont. The Paterberg. Names that make classics fans’ hearts race.
What Makes It Brutal
But what actually destroys riders? In essence, the combination of cobbles, climbs, and weather.
I’m apparently in the camp that watches every second of this race despite the six-hour broadcast. Frustrated by coverage that focuses only on final kilometers, I appreciate how the race unfolds over hours of attrition.
The pavé sections shake bikes apart. Belgian weather adds rain, wind, or both. Steep climbs come in rapid succession late in the race. Legs that felt strong at kilometer 200 can fail completely by kilometer 240.
Favorites to Watch
Mathieu van der Poel brings power and bike handling from his cyclocross background. Wout van Aert is the complete package — climber, time trialist, sprint finisher. Julian Alaphilippe attacks relentlessly when others are suffering.
The Final Kilometers
The run-in to Oudenaarde is where races are won and lost. Positioning before the final climbs is critical. A gap of ten seconds can become unassailable on tired legs. The finish line comes fast after hours of suffering.
Making the Call
The Tour of Flanders rewards preparation, power, and tactical intelligence. Weather plays kingmaker. Equipment choices matter — tire pressure on cobbles, gear ratios for steep climbs. For cycling fans, this is essential viewing. For riders, it’s aspirational suffering. One of the purest tests in professional cycling.
