Fourth win for Van der Poel and Kopecky?
On Sunday, April 5, a new chapter in cycling history will be written at the Tour of Flanders. Among the men, all eyes are on Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogačar, who could become the sole record holder or co-record holder if they beat Wout van Aert and Mads Pedersen among others. Lotte Kopecky already holds the women's record at Flanders' Finest and is aiming for a fourth win, facing competition from Vollering, Longo Borghini, and Ferrand-Prévot among others.
Participants men
The number of record holders in the Tour of Flanders for men currently stands at 7, but defending champion Tadej Pogačar could change that on Sunday, April 5. The Slovenian world champion is aiming for his third victory and the title of co-record holder. Mathieu van der Poel, meanwhile, could make history: the Dutchman from Alpecin-Premier Tech could become the first rider ever to win Flanders' Finest four times.
Team Visma | Lease a Bike has never yet celebrated a victory on the Minderbroedersstraat in Oudenaarde. The Dutch team hopes to change that this year with Wout van Aert. The Belgian, who finished second in 2020, will be supported according to the provisional start list by Brennan and Laporte. Lidl-Trek is aiming for success with Mads Pedersen, who, like Van Aert, has never finished higher than second. The same goes for Dylan van Baarle, the Dutchman from Soudal Quick-Step, who will have Stuyven by his side.
On the provisional start list, two former winners are also featured: Asgreen (EF Education - EasyPost) and Bettiol (XDS Astana Team). G. Vermeersch (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe), De Lie (Lotto Intermarché), Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility), Trentin (Tudor Pro Cycling Team), and Mohoric (Bahrain Victorious) are also preparing for the Tour of Flanders.
Antwerp once again hosts the start of Flanders' Finest this year. At 8:15, the teams will be presented one by one to the public on the Grote Markt. The starting gun will then sound at 10:00 from the Ernest Van Dijckkaai. We will find out who succeeds Tadej Pogačar around 16:30 on the Minderbroedersstraat in Oudenaarde.
Participants women
Lotte Kopecky made history last year by becoming the first woman ever to win the Tour of Flanders three times. The rider from Team SD Worx-Protime is aiming for her fourth victory and will be joined by Bredewold and Wiebes. She will face challenges from the duos Vollering - Chabbey (FDJ United - Suez) and Ferrand-Prévot - Vos (Team Visma | Lease a Bike).
Lidl-Trek places its hopes on Balsamo and Van Anrooij, while UAE Team ADQ fields double winner Longo Borghini and Persico. Canyon//SRAM zondacrypto brings a strong team to Oudenaarde with Backstedt, Consonni, Dygert, and Uttrup Ludwig. Movistar Team (Lippert - Ferguson - Reusser) and AG Insurance - Soudal Team (Le Court - Bossuyt) also have multiple key riders. Further down the provisional start list, we also find Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech), Paternoster (Liv AlUla Jayco), and Kerbaol (EF Education - Oatly).
As usual, Oudenaarde is the epicenter of the women’s race. At 11:40, the team presentation begins on the Markt. After the men pass at 13:10, the women will start the race at 13:25. The winner of the women’s race is expected around 17:35 at the finish on the Minderbroedersstraat.
Official fan zones
Those who want to follow the Tour of Flanders from the front row can visit the official fan zones along the route:
- Oude Kwaremont (10:00 – 19:00)
- Paterberg (10:00 – 19:00)
- Koppenberg (10:00 – 19:00)
- Kruisberg (10:00 – 19:00)
- Finish Oudenaarde (13:00 – 19:00)
Sint-Niklaas, Hamme, Erpe-Mere, Haaltert, Herzele en Velzeke-Ruddershove fungeren dit jaar als Dorpen van de Ronde.
Mobility
NMBS is running extra trains to bring fans smoothly to Oudenaarde and the finish of the Tour of Flanders. From Oudenaarde station, spectators can then use one of the free shuttle buses to the hill zone. Shuttle buses are also available from Berchem and Ronse. Find out the fastest way to reach your favorite destination via the button below.
