Feverish? Hot under the collar? Aching arms and legs? Hopefully it’s just because you’ve completed a recon ride over the cobbles and are all set for the openingsweekend. The spring classics start this weekend with the Omloop this Saturday, a tour of Flanders.
Belgium
Muur Money
The Tour of Flanders might not visit the Kapelmuur in Geraardsbergen in 2020 following a row over money. Apparently the race has been charging the town money and now local politicians want to spend the money elsewhere.
Liège-Bastogne-Liège Preview
Ronde van Vlaanderen Preview
It’s Deceuninck-Quickstep versus the rest again this Sunday as the home team take on all comers, including Peter Sagan, Greg Van Avermaet, Wout van Aert and Oliver Naesen. It’s live on TV from start to finish and takes plance in front of an estimated million of roadside fans, an event of national importance to the Belgians.
Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne Preview
The Moment The Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Was Won
Zdeněk Štybar makes his move in the final approach to Ninove just after Greg Van Avermaet has closed down a big attack from Tim Wellens leaving the pair in the red. It was the final move of a busy race with attacks flying throughout the final two hours.
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Preview
It’s Friday and here comes the openingsweekend. No more desert(ed) highways, the spring classics season begins with the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, for years a rival to the Tour of Flanders and now more of a partner event, a curtain-raiser to the spring classics season. Here’s a preview of the Omloop, look out for the Kuurne preview later this weekend.
The Moment Liège-Bastogne-Liège Was Won
A solo win for Bob Jungels, another team win for Quick Step. He took flight just over the top of the Côte de la Roche aux Faucons and nobody else could or would go with him.
Liège-Bastogne-Liège Preview
A duel between Alejandro Valverde and Julian Alaphilippe? The two have been rivals in the Ardennes ever since the 2015 edition and now Alaphilippe has to cope with the pressure and expectation. Meanwhile there’s a long list of contenders and pretenders, ranging from guest appearances by the likes of Vincenzo Nibali to those looking to salvage something from their spring like Michał Kwiatkowski
The Moment The Flèche Wallonne Was Won
Julian Alaphilippe surges past Jelle Vanendert with Alejandro Valverde several metres behind, in the picture but for once out of contention. The Flèche has a new winner in Julian Alaphilippe although almost an old hand given he’s been on the podium here twice before. It was a good edition of a race that had become cycling’s equivalent of a repeat edition.