All the spring classics have their charms and Sunday’s Ronde van Vlaanderen is notable as a national event. No other country cherishes road racing like Belgium and huge numbers will be out along the route.
Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogačar meet again, this time with Wout van Aert and Remco Evenepoel as contenders and also home hopes for the crowds as no Belgian has been on the podium since 2021 and the last home winner was Gilbert in 2017.
Dwaars door Vlaanderen is today, its name is literally “Across Flanders” only it covers a tiny portion of Flanders. Similarly this Sunday’s Ronde van Vlaanderen doesn’t tour much of Flanders, instead it loops around a very small part of the region. As do many of the other spring classics.
Tadej Pogačar launches his sprint with 200m to go. Tom Pidcock looks to the right but there’s no room and he moves to the left and almost gets on terms but he’s half a length short as they throw their bikes to the line. After 289km there’s half a wheel it in.
The charm of bike racing is that the strongest rider does not always win. Skill, tactics and sheer good luck play a role. Especially in Milan-Sanremo.
The race has evolved over the years and now in its 117th edition there is a change. Tadej Pogačar’s moves on the Cipressa have opened up the race and created a new version where the rules, scenarios and habits of recent years have been revised but the new script is not settled. If he goes again should rivals follow or wait. Stick or twist?
It’s too early to draw conclusions for the three year promotion and relegation cycle but here’s a look at the latest standings in chart form.
Stage 4 to Uchon saw the peloton split in crosswinds at the start. A crash in the front group inside the final 50km saw half the Red Bull team ride on unhindered with Jonas Vingegaard along for the ride. This was the moment the race was won.
The final stage and for once there’s not all to play for as Jonas Vingegaard leads by over three minutes. But the stage win and the other podium places are available and all on a new route with a novel finish.
An Alpine summit finish and an early finish so if you plan to catch this on TV then note it’s two hours earlier than usual.
Back at it, the peloton tackles the longest stage of the race with some tricky climbs in the finish. The sun should be back.
