After a somewhat lost stretch of pavé on the Varentstraat in the first half of the race most action is clustered in the middle section of the race. The first hill is the Volkegemberg and shortly the rumble of the cobbles continues on the Holleweg. Another quiet phase and then the first combination kicks in with the Hotond, Knokteberg-Trieu, Kortekeer and the cobbles on the Maria Borrestraat.
The subsequent combination features Berg Ten Houte and Kanarieberg before the riders return to the Knokteberg-Trieu/Hotond, only to tackle the combo in different order. The Mariaborrestraat is thrown in again shortly before the base of Ladeuze, after which most of the uphill action is done and dusted.
Two stretches of pavé precede the Nokereberg and moments later the riders enter the finishing circuit around Waregem, which includes 800 metres of pavé on the Herlegemstraat twice. The first time before the passage on the line and the second time after the last climb on the Holstraat.
Last year, the race ignited with almost 70 kilometres to go when Van der Poel, Benoot, Campenaerts, Küng, Turner and Pidcock attacked from the peloton. The seven cooperated well before going for each other’s throat in a pulse-pounding finale. Following a flurry of attacks Van der Poel took the win, 1 second ahead of Benoot with Pidcock another 4 seconds further behind.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX Dwars door Vlaanderen 2023.
Other interesting reads: results and start list Dwars door Vlaanderen 2023.
Dwars door Vlaanderen 2023: routes, profiles, more
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