Day race

Tour of Flanders (Belgium)

- The five monuments have over 100 years of history, their own character and attract large crowds in France, Belgium and Italy.
- Fans stand extremely close to the route at the classics, creating a festival atmosphere, but also contributing to a high risk of accidents.
- Crashes caused by fans are present in the media and last occurred at monuments in 2024 at the Tour of Flanders, which is why responsible behaviour is necessary.

Fans at the roadside: Nowhere as close as at the classics

- Van der Poel is chasing his fourth victory in the Tour of Flanders and could become the sole record holder of the classic.  
- Pogačar is aiming for his third triumph, has eleven Monument victories and shines with his versatility and endurance.  
- Van der Poel scores on the cobbles and in the sprints, while Pogačar will have to play to his advantage on the long, hard climbs.

Tour of Flanders 2026: Giant duel on cobblestones

the Tour of Flanders (Belgium)

- The Tour of Flanders is tactically pre-decided in the last 50 kilometres by the tight sequence of hard climbs and battles for position.  
- The Paterberg and Koppenberg are the first to ensure selection and a possible breakaway, whereby small mistakes there can hardly be corrected.  
- The decision will be made on the Oude Kwaremont and the final Paterberg at the latest, as the 13.2 kilometres to the finish allow soloists to avoid a sprint.

Tactics analysis Tour of Flanders: This is where the classic is decided

- In 1913, Paul Deman wins the 1st Tour of Flanders over 324 km of cobbles at just under 27 km/h in the sprint of a group of five.
- In 1964, Rudi Altig is the only German to win solo at record speed, in 1975 Eddy Merckx dominates in the rain, only 50 of 179 riders reach the finish line.
- In 2010, Cancellara's attack against Boonen decides the duel, in 2020 Mathieu van der Poel wins in a photo finish and repeats his father's victory.

Looking back: The 5 greatest moments of the Tour of Flanders

- AI sees Pogačar as the clear top favourite in Flanders, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Lombardy, in some cases with over 50% chance of victory.  
- At Paris-Roubaix, van der Poel is considered the biggest favourite ahead of Pogačar with 35-40%; higher uncertainty due to cobblestones and the risk of defection.  
- According to AI, the probabilities are based on betting odds, rider form, route profile and tactics, are non-binding and do not guarantee the outcome of the race.

AI prediction: Who will win the remaining cycling classics?

- The Tour of Flanders is longer, has more metres in altitude and is characterised by many steep, cobbled climbs, while Paris-Roubaix is flatter but with tougher pavé.  
- Paris-Roubaix is older and ends uniquely in the Roubaix velodrome, while the Tour of Flanders finishes on a rather unadorned road in Oudenaarde.  
- Rider types differ: strong, lighter riders dominate Flanders, while more powerful speed riders with more traction have an advantage in Paris-Roubaix.

Tour of Flanders vs Paris-Roubaix: These are the differences

- Cobblestone classics demand a lot from riders and equipment; defects due to cobblestones, potholes and narrow stretches are frequent.  
- Helpers along the route secure equipment, hand out bottles and provide information if team cars cannot get there in time due to tight spaces or traffic jams.  
- The wheel held up serves as a central signal for a quick wheel change and can make the difference between the podium and losing the lead within seconds.

Important helpers along the route: indispensable in the cobblestone classic

- The 2026 Tour of Flanders is regarded as a duel between the Classics dominators, with a particularly strong Tadej Pogačar as the top favourite.  
- Van der Poel is travelling with victories at Omloop and E3, but will have to keep Pogačar's wheel behind him on the Kwaremont and Paterberg to maintain his chances of victory.  
- Van Aert, Pedersen and Brennan will be hoping for suitable race scenarios; Pedersen and Brennan have recently shown strong form after crashing and breaking through respectively.

Tour of Flanders 2026: Form check of the stars for the cycling monument

- Since 1913, the Tour of Flanders has characterised cycling in Belgium as a monument with a varied but always tough cobblestone and slip road course.
- Record winners with three victories each include Cancellara, Magni and van der Poel; German victories went to Altig (1964) and Wesemann (2004).
- Today, van der Poel and Pogačar dominate; there has been a women's race since 2004, in which Kopecky stands out with three victories.

Cycling lexicon: 10 things you need to know about the Tour of Flanders

- Remco Evenepoel will start at the Tour of Flanders, his most important home race in Belgium, for the first time.
- His team, Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe, emphasises that the start is a long-term plan that has been deliberately kept secret.
- The provisional line-up includes Mick and Tim van Dijke, Vermeersch, Pithie, Tratnik and Drizners; Evenepoel last rode as a helper in the Tour of Catalonia.

No April Fool's joke: Red Bull pro Evenepoel makes his debut at the Tour of Flanders

- Van der Poel is once again the target of hostility and dangerous spectator interventions at the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix 2026.  
- The bottle thrown at Paris-Roubaix 2025 and vape smoke in the face 2025 illustrate recurring transgressions.  
- Consistent protection of hotspots, swift sanctions and reporting of incidents by spectators should deter copycats.

Mathieu van der Poel: Danger from fan hostility in the big classics

- Die Flandern-Rundfahrt der Frauen existiert seit 2004; Rekordsiegerin ist Lotte Kopecky mit drei Siegen, zwei Deutsche stehen in der Siegerinnenliste.
- 2026 führt die 164 km lange Strecke mit Start/Ziel in Oudenaarde über neun gepflasterte Steilstücke, darunter Oude Kwaremont und Paterberg.
- Der Zieleinlauf ist zwischen 17:30 und 18:00 Uhr; TV live ab 17:00 Uhr auf Eurosport 1, Livestream ab 15:00 Uhr bei HBO Max und discovery+.

Tour of Flanders: Everything you need to know about the women's race

 the Tour of Flanders (Belgium)

protegear.io

predictwind.com

vimeo.com

doo.net

team-malizia.geovoile.com

www.ndr.de

YB Tracking mit Google Maps

https://awin.comagno.com

Windfinder Widget

X.com

racemap.com

touren.bike-magazin.de

Spotify

New York Vendée

www.outdooractive.com

www.br.de 

Tickaroo

Google

Instagram

thetransat.geovoile.com 

www.br.de

www.facebook.com

www.youtube.com

player.podigee-cdn.net

trackleaders.com

www.ardmediathek.de

www.tagesschau.de

www.podcaster.de

tracker.theoceanrace.com

kuula.co

arkeaultimchallengebrest.geovoile.com

retouralabase.geovoile.com

minitransat.geovoile.com

transat-jacques-vabre.geovoile.com

theoceanrace.geovoile.com


        In this article, we use so-called affiliate links. With every purchase through these links, we receive a commission from the merchant.
        All relevant referral links are marked with <icon></icon>. <link>Learn more</link>.
    


        In this article, we use so-called affiliate links. With every purchase through these links, we receive a commission from the merchant.
        All relevant referral links are marked with <icon></icon>.
    

Most read articles

Most read in category {categoryTitle}

This summary was generated automatically.

Summary

Save filter

The Big Bike Search

Note: This text is a service for our readers and was automatically generated from the data in our bike database.

Verdict on the {brandName} {modelName} test

Verdict on the {modelName} test

Topics on this page

Measurements

Data and facts about the {brandName} {modelName}

I agree to display external content. This may involve the transmission of personal data to third-party platforms. Learn more in our

At this point, you will find external content that complements the article. You can display and hide it with a click.

Filter

Login required

 | TOUR 

My Premium Guides

My Account

Pro cycling calendar {year}

{title} - Live updates on the race status

{liveticker} {stageName} - {raceName} {year}

To rank the riders, we use results from World Tour races from last year and the current year. The score is updated once a week and is calculated from the sum of wins in one-day races, time trials, stage wins and overall victories.

Saved articles

Search

Just discovered at {portalName}: {articleTitle} {shareUrl}

the Tour of Flanders (Belgium)

Fans at the roadside
Nowhere as close as at the classics

Tour of Flanders 2026
Giant duel on cobblestones

Tactics analysis Tour of Flanders
This is where the classic is decided

Looking back
The 5 greatest moments of the Tour of Flanders

AI prediction
Who will win the remaining cycling classics?

Tour of Flanders vs Paris-Roubaix
These are the differences

Important helpers along the route
Indispensable in the cobblestone classic

Tour of Flanders 2026
Form check of the stars for the cycling monument

Cycling lexicon
10 things you need to know about the Tour of Flanders

No April Fool's joke
Red Bull pro Evenepoel makes his debut at the Tour of Flanders

Mathieu van der Poel
Danger from fan hostility in the big classics

Tour of Flanders
Everything you need to know about the women's race

the Tour of Flanders (Belgium)

Fans at the roadsideNowhere as close as at the classics

Tour of Flanders 2026Giant duel on cobblestones

Tactics analysis Tour of FlandersThis is where the classic is decided

Looking backThe 5 greatest moments of the Tour of Flanders

AI predictionWho will win the remaining cycling classics?

Tour of Flanders vs Paris-RoubaixThese are the differences

Important helpers along the routeIndispensable in the cobblestone classic

Tour of Flanders 2026Form check of the stars for the cycling monument

Cycling lexicon10 things you need to know about the Tour of Flanders

No April Fool's jokeRed Bull pro Evenepoel makes his debut at the Tour of Flanders

Mathieu van der PoelDanger from fan hostility in the big classics

Tour of FlandersEverything you need to know about the women's race

Fans at the roadside
Nowhere as close as at the classics

Tour of Flanders 2026
Giant duel on cobblestones

Tactics analysis Tour of Flanders
This is where the classic is decided

Looking back
The 5 greatest moments of the Tour of Flanders

AI prediction
Who will win the remaining cycling classics?

Tour of Flanders vs Paris-Roubaix
These are the differences

Important helpers along the route
Indispensable in the cobblestone classic

Tour of Flanders 2026
Form check of the stars for the cycling monument

Cycling lexicon
10 things you need to know about the Tour of Flanders

No April Fool's joke
Red Bull pro Evenepoel makes his debut at the Tour of Flanders

Mathieu van der Poel
Danger from fan hostility in the big classics

Tour of Flanders
Everything you need to know about the women's race