Following a flat run-up, in which the home crowds are thrown into a cycling frenzy of eager anticipation, the riders get a first taste of cobbles after 104 kilometres. The pavé on the Lippenhovenstraat and Paddestraat appear in quick succession, but, to be frank, the first half of the race is nothing special. It’s the simple fact that De Ronde is on its way that gives the race its edge at this stage.
The riders tackle the first climb exactly halfway. After the Oude Kwaremont the riders continue to the Kappelleberg and from then on the race intensifies. The cobbles of Holleweg roll out a somewhat rugged red carpet for a section with the Wolvenberg, more cobbles (Kerkgate and Jagerij), Molenberg, Marlboroughstraat, Berendries and Valkenberg. All these obstacles are crammed together within 15 kilometres.
There is still 86 kilometres to go after the Valkenberg. A relatively calm phase of 32 kilometres – with only Berg Ten Houte and Nieuwe Kruisberg/Hotond – makes way for a brutal finale.
The Tour of Flanders really is on fire when the riders tackle the Oude Kwaremont/Paterberg combo for the first time. This is an exciting phase with Koppenberg, the cobbles of the Mariaborrestraat, Steenbeekdries, the cobbles of the Stationsberg, and Taaienberg in rapid succession. To be precise, within 20 kilometres.
With 29 kilometres left the riders tackle the Oude Kruisberg/Hotond before the Oude Kwaremont makes its last appearance inside the final 20 kilometres. The cobbled climb is 2,200 metres long and averages 4%, while the Paterberg is quite the opposite. Only 360 metres long, but definitely a killer with its average gradient of 12.9% and ramps up to 20.3%.
The last 13.2 kilometres of the Tour of Flanders are flat.
Last year, Tadej Pogacar began early with the demolition works. He dropped his rivals for the first time in the penultimate ascent of the Oude Kwaremont – so, with still 55 kilometres remaining. Following a regroupment the Slovene again put pressure on the Koppenberg. Only Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert were able to match this move, but the two were left in the ropes when Pogacar tightened the screws on the last time up the Oude Kwaremont and powered his way to victory.
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Other interesting reads: race results/report and start list 2024 Tour of Flanders.
Tour of Flanders 2024: routes, profiles, more
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