Ronde van Vlaanderen

It’s undoubtedly one of the biggest races of the season. That’s down to its brutal hardness, its length (152km, not many races like that in the WWT) and its enormous prestige, which make it one that every rider aspires to. One which, in 2021, will not miss any famous passages.

The 152km parcours around Oudenaarde doesn’t include, however, more than one ascent to the Oude Kwaremont (-16km) and the grueling Paterberg (-13km), the key areas of a race which also features the ‘breaking points’ of the Molenberg (-75km), a narrow zone which could create some early selection; the Taaienberg (-40km), with its subsequent wind-exposed plains; and the last two climbs, preceded by the Kruisberg (-26km).

‘De Ronde’ requires, more than any other race, to position yourself well, keep yourself sheltered against the wind with your team-mates and pick your moves wisely – and also have some good luck to have a better shot at glory.