On April 6, 2025, the Tour of Flanders will kick off once again. It promises to be another weekend full of cycling excitement, especially with Tadej Pogačar and Mathieu van der Poel facing off once more. Read all about it in this article.
Tour of Flanders
The Tour of Flanders, one of the most famous Flemish spring classics, will be held for the 109th time this year. Since 2004, the Tour of Flanders for women has also been organized. The men’s race was last won by Mathieu van der Poel, while Lotte Kopecky is the defending champion in the women’s event.
2025 Course
Since 2021, Antwerp and Bruges have alternated as the starting locations of “Flanders’ Finest,” and this year it is Bruges’ turn to give the official start. At 10 AM, the male riders will set off from there for a nearly 270-kilometer race. In the first hundred kilometers, they will pass through places such as Beernem, Aalter, and Zulte before heading toward the Oude Kwaremont.
The final phase of the Tour of Flanders still takes place in the Flemish Ardennes, starting with the Hotond climb before the local lap begins, featuring the Oude Kwaremont-Paterberg duo. However, the real showdown starts with the ascent of the Koppenberg, about 45 kilometers from the finish. Last year, the cobbles were too slippery, forcing nearly the entire peloton to continue on foot. After the Koppenberg, the route passes the Oude Kwaremont-Paterberg duo once again. From there, it is just 13 kilometers to the finish line in Oudenaarde.
The women’s race follows a shorter course in and around Oudenaarde, covering around 160 kilometers. Cobblestone sections and Flemish hills make the race extremely challenging. After 70 flat kilometers, the riders reach the hill zone, starting with the Wolvenberg and later the Molenberg. At 45 kilometers from the finish, the contenders face the Koppenberg. The Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg push the riders to their limits one final time before the last 13 kilometers to the finish line.
Men’s Favorites
If everything goes well, we can expect the “Big Three” at the start once again: Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, and Tadej Pogačar. On paper, they are undoubtedly the top favorites. In Milan-San Remo, Pogačar attacked multiple times, but Van der Poel managed to stay with him every time. The Dutchman then sprinted to victory on the Via Roma. Wout van Aert is also a strong contender this year, although he is clearly not in his best form.
Several other riders also stand a chance in this edition. Mads Pedersen, for example, made a strong impression in the final weekend of Paris-Nice and also stood out in the E3 Saxo Classic. The Lidl-Trek rider was clearly the best behind Van der Poel and proved it a few days later with a major victory in Gent-Wevelgem, successfully completing a 65-kilometer solo breakaway.
Another rider to watch is Filippo Ganna. The Italian has not yet found success in this race, but he has been in excellent form in recent weeks. He impressed in Tirreno-Adriatico, finishing second overall, followed by a second place in Milan-San Remo and third in the E3 Saxo Classic. Other potential outsiders include Matteo Jorgenson, Jasper Stuyven, and Stefan Küng.
Women’s Favorites
For the two top favorites in the Tour of Flanders, we look at the riders who have shared the last three editions between them. On one side, there’s Lotte Kopecky from SD Worx-Protime, and on the other, Elisa Longo Borghini from UAE Team ADQ. Kopecky might have a slight edge, but after Dwars door Vlaanderen, all eyes are also on the Italian.
Kopecky has the advantage of strong teammates in Anna van der Breggen and Lorena Wiebes. Van der Breggen can make a difference in the climbs, while Wiebes can rely on her sprint at the finish in Oudenaarde. Longo Borghini, with Silvia Persico as her main support, will need to strategize carefully.
Other contenders include Puck Pieterse and Marianne Vos. Pieterse, with her mountain biking background, could benefit on the climbs, while Vos is an all-rounder capable of gaining an advantage in various situations. Lastly, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, the strong French rider, remains a serious challenger.
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