Antwerp (dpa) – Belgium is celebrating its unofficial national holiday with the Tour of Flanders. For the first time since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, a large number of spectators will be lining the route. With an optimal course, German drivers can achieve a place in the top ten.
The distance
After starting in Antwerp, it’s 272.5 kilometers to Oudenaarde. The first part of the race is used for rolling, only from the first passage through Oudenaarde does the cobblestone climb get down to business. As always, the grand finale is expected at the combination of Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg, after which there is still a little more than ten kilometers to the finish. While fresh snow on Friday made things difficult for the teams when inspecting the course, it’s supposed to be cool and dry on Sunday.
The favourites
The biggest question mark was behind Wout van Aert. On Friday evening, his team Jumbo-Visma informed that the classic dominator of this year was corona positive and was therefore cancelled. Thus, Mathieu van der Poel slipped to the favorite position of the race, which he already won in 2020. You also have to have last year’s winner Kasper Asgreen from Denmark on your list. And of course Tadej Pogacar. The Slovenian is reportedly only riding in Flanders to prepare for the cobblestone stage of the Tour de France. But his performance on Wednesday at Quer durch Flanders showed that he wants to fight for victory.
The German drivers
John Degenkolb and Nils Politt are the two big German names at the start. Especially after Politt’s fifth place in Across Flanders, a place in the top ten seems possible, maybe a little more. Degenkolb, who had to miss Milan-Sanremo ill, is certainly not in Politt’s form yet. In any case, the duo is looking at Paris-Roubaix, which takes place in two weeks.