The 110th Tour of Flanders rolls out today, April 5, with the men’s peloton covering 278 kilometers from Antwerp to Oudenaarde across 16 punishing cobbled climbs. The women’s race, now in its 10th edition, tackles 164 kilometers with nine climbs and six cobbled sections. Both races promise fireworks, with the sport’s biggest names lining up in what many consider the most prestigious one-day race on the calendar.
Men’s Race: Pogačar vs. Van der Poel, the Rivalry That Defines an Era
Defending champion Tadej Pogačar arrives in Flanders as the overwhelming favorite, fresh off a season in which he has looked virtually unbeatable in one-day racing. The Slovenian’s ability to attack from distance on the Oude Kwaremont, the legendary cobbled climb that sits 142 kilometers into the race, has become his signature move in the Flemish classics.
Standing in his way is the man who defined the modern Ronde: Mathieu van der Poel. The Dutch champion has won this race twice and possesses the explosive power and bike-handling skills that make him lethal on the narrow, twisting cobbled roads of East Flanders. Their rivalry, which has produced some of the most thrilling racing in recent memory, will again be the central storyline.
Belgian hopes rest on two riders. Remco Evenepoel, the world champion and Olympic champion, has been steadily improving his cobbled classics results and represents a genuine threat if the race comes down to a battle of attrition on the final climbs. Wout van Aert, the versatile powerhouse who has won virtually every type of bike race that exists, will look to use his strength on the flat cobbled sections between climbs to wear down the field before the decisive moments.
The race’s dramatic moment came early when over half the peloton was stopped at a level crossing, briefly neutralizing the race and creating chaos as riders scrambled to rejoin. These unpredictable moments are part of what makes Flanders so compelling, as the narrow roads and technical demands test racers in ways that no other race can replicate.
Women’s Race: Can Anyone Dethrone Kopecky?
Lotte Kopecky has made the Tour of Flanders her personal domain. The Belgian champion has won three of the last four editions, becoming the first woman to claim three Ronde titles. Her 2025 victory saw her outsprint Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, Liane Lippert, and Kasia Niewiadoma in a sprint finish that underscored her rare combination of climbing ability and raw speed.
The challengers are formidable. Demi Vollering of FDJ-SUEZ has the climbing legs to put Kopecky under pressure on the Koppenberg and Paterberg, the two steepest climbs on the women’s course. Elisa Longo Borghini of UAE Team ADQ is a former winner who thrives in attritional racing. And Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, the multi-discipline world champion, brings a mountain biker’s technical prowess to the treacherous cobbled descents.
The growth of women’s cycling continues to accelerate, with the UCI’s commitment to equal racing starts at the 2028 Olympics and reformed prize money structures providing tangible evidence of progress. The women’s Ronde is now a marquee event in its own right, broadcast globally and drawing millions of viewers.
The Decisive Climbs
For both races, the final 50 kilometers are where the Ronde is won and lost. The Oude Kwaremont, a 2.2-kilometer cobbled climb averaging 4% but hitting 11% in its steepest section, is typically where the first major attacks are launched. Its rough, uneven cobblestones and exposed position on an open hillside make it a test of both power and bike handling.
The Paterberg follows just eight kilometers later, a brutal 400-meter wall that ramps up to 20% on greasy cobblestones. This is the launchpad for decisive attacks. Last year, Pogačar went solo on the Oude Kwaremont and held off all chasers to the finish, but the Paterberg has historically been where the race splinters irreparably.
For amateur cyclists inspired by the Ronde, developing the skills to ride cobblestones effectively is a discipline in itself. Proper technique, which includes keeping weight back, maintaining a relaxed grip, and choosing the right tire pressure, can make the difference between surviving cobbled sections and crashing. Our guide to training for cobblestone riding covers the specific drills and preparation that can help you tackle similar terrain.
What This Means for You
Even if you never race on Belgian cobblestones, the Tour of Flanders offers lessons that apply to every cyclist. The race rewards versatility: the ability to climb, handle rough surfaces, sprint, and read the tactical dynamics of a group. Building that kind of all-round fitness requires a varied training approach that combines zone 2 endurance work with high-intensity efforts and technical skills practice.
If watching the Ronde inspires you to try cobbled riding yourself, several sportive events in Belgium and northern France offer amateur riders the chance to ride the same roads as the professionals. The Ronde van Vlaanderen Cyclo, typically held the day before the pro race, attracts over 16,000 riders annually and offers multiple route options from 75 to 240 kilometers.
Key Takeaways
The 2026 Tour of Flanders features the Pogačar-Van der Poel rivalry as its centerpiece, with Evenepoel and Van Aert adding Belgian intrigue. In the women’s race, Kopecky seeks a remarkable fourth title against Vollering, Longo Borghini, and Ferrand-Prévot. Both races will be decided on the Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg in the final 50 kilometers. Whether you’re watching from your couch or dreaming of riding the cobbles yourself, the Ronde remains cycling’s most thrilling spectacle.
