The most revered week in Flemish cycling reaches its peak this Sunday (31.03) with the 108th Tour of Flanders. Last year, Tadej Pogacar was the big winner, but the Slovenian will not compete this year.
Following the serious accident at Dwars Door Vlaanderen, Wout van Aert is also absent, and Mads Pedersen’s chances have been considerably reduced after also being involved in the accident. Thus, Mathieu van der Poel emerges as the main candidate for victory.
2024 route has undergone changes
The starting point of the Tour of Flanders returns to Antwerp. After an edition based in Bruges, the organization decided to return to the Flemish port city. The finish remains in Oudenaarde, however, several changes were made to the route, especially in the first 100 kilometers of the race.
“These changes are primarily aimed at safety. We are focused on ensuring more space on the main roads so the peloton can accelerate,” stated race director Scott Sunderland on the Tour website. Furthermore, the Kortekeer and Kanarieberg climbs are not part of this year’s route, being replaced by the Kapelleberg.
First challenges after 136 km
After the start in Antwerp, cyclists will face a 270.8 km route. In the first 100 kilometers, the peloton will not face any major challenges.
After 136 km the first major obstacle appears: the Oude Kwaremont, which cyclists must overcome three times in total. From Kwaremont, the ascents follow one another at a very fast pace. Molenberg, Marlbouroughstaart, Berendries and Valkenberg will appear next.
Around the two hundred km mark, many riders’ legs started to hurt from a new set of climbs with Berg ten Houte and the Hotond. The second pass of the Oude Kwaremont and the first time of the Paterberg, followed by the Koppenberg, which is feared by all.
Space to breathe after Koppenberg? For very little. The Steenbeekdries and Traaiberg follow in ten kilometers, after the Kruisberg, before the last two climbs, the Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg take cyclists to the limit once again, with only thirteen km left until the finish.
Check out all the challenges of the Tour of Flanders 2024
Climbs
136.2 km: Oude Kwaremont (2,200 meters at 4%)
158.9 km: Wolvenberg (645 meters at 7.9%)
171.3 km: Molenberg (463 meters at 7%)
175.3 km: Marlboroughstraat (2,040 meters at 3%)
179.3 km: Berendries (940 meters at 7%)
184.7 km: Valkenberg (550 meters at 8.2%)
197.1 km: Berg ten Houte (1100 meters at 6%)
206.6 km: Hotond (1000 meters at 7.7%) 216.5
km: Oude Kwaremont (2,200 meters at 4%)
219.9 km: Paterberg (360 meters at 12.9%)
226.2 km: Koppenberg (600 meters at 11.6%))
231.6 km: Steenbeekdries (700 meters at 5.3%)
234.0 km: Traaiberg (530 meters at 6.6%)
244.3 km: Kruisberg-Hotond (2,500 meters at 5%)
254.1 km: Oude Kwaremont (2,200 meters at 4%)
257.6 km: Paterberg (360 meters at 12.9%)
Cobblestones
104.2 km: Lippenhovestraat (1300 meters)
105.6 km: Paddestraat (1500 meters)
156.3 km: Holleweg (1500 meters)
162.5 km: Kerkgate (2500 meters)
165.1 km: Hunting farm (800 meters))
230.2 km: Mariaborrestraat (2400 meters) )
232.1 km: Stationsberg (600 meters)
Where to watch the Tour of Flanders in Portugal
The Tour of Flanders will be broadcast live, next Sunday, through the channel Eurosport 1 with transmission starting at 9:45 am (Lisbon time).
Where to watch the Tour of Flanders in Brazil
The Belgian cobblestone classic will be broadcast live to Brazil via Streaming STAR +. The broadcast will start on Sunday morning at 4:55 am.
