In fact, the last 45 kilometres are the same as the men’s race. That’s the most brutal part of the race. It contains half of all climbs.
Following an early stretch of pavé, the first hour is easygoing before two more sectors are thrown in around the 50 kilometres marker. The first climb, Wolvenberg, appears after 72 kilometres in the saddle.
After two more cobbled sectors, Kerkgate and Jagerij, the Tour of Flanders is halfway. And yes, there are with eleven ‘hellingen’ in store. So, let’s start racing!
The combination of Molenberg, Marlboroughstraat, Berendries and Valkenberg within 14 kilometres is a solid way to get things going. Let’s call it the pre-finale to seperate the women from the girls. It precedes the last calm phase of almost two times 10 kilometres with the Kapelleberg in the middle. From then on, it’s all systems go.
The Koppenberg is crested 44.6 kilometres before the finish. Every 5 kilometres or so a new hill appears with a stretch of pavé just before it, like some sort of welcome mat. In order of appearance the riders hit the Mariaborrestraat, Steenbeendries, Stationsberg and Taaienberg.
And on we go, into the finale. The riders tackle the Kruisberg/Hotond with 26 kilometres remaining to continue towards the awe-inspiring combo Oude Kwaremont/Paterberg. Both paved with cobbles, the Oude Kwaremont is a 2.2 kilometres climb at 4% and the Paterberg is 360 metres long and excessively steep. The average gradient sits at 12.9% and the toughest ramps go up at an unforgiving 20%.
After the Paterberg there are 13.3 kilometres remaining. On the flat.
Last year’s run-up was different, but the finale was exactly the same. A lead group with Marlen Reusser, Silvia Persico, Lorena Wiebes and Lotte Kopecky took shape on the Koppenberg. Which was, obviously, an ideal scenaro for Kopecky, as both Wiebes and Reusser are her team mates. They lost contact on the Taaienberg and Kruisberg before she shook off Persico on the Oude Kwaremont and soloed to victory.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX Women’s Tour of Flanders 2024.
Other interesting reads: results and start list 2024 Tour of Flanders.
Tour of Flanders for women 2024: route, profiles, more
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