Tour of Flanders

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Tour of Flanders

The Tour of Flanders (Dutch: Ronde van Vlaanderen) is an annual road cycling race held in Belgium. It is one of the five Monuments of the UCI World Tour and is considered one of the most prestigious events in the sport of cycling. The race is held in the region of Flanders, known for its challenging terrain and cobbled roads.

History

The Tour of Flanders was first organized in 1913 by Karel Van Wijnendaele, a co-founder of the sports newspaper Sportwereld. The race was initially created to promote the newspaper and has since grown into one of the most important races on the professional cycling calendar. The event was not held during the First World War but resumed in 1919 and has been held annually ever since.

Route

The route of the Tour of Flanders has changed numerous times throughout its history. Traditionally, the race starts in Antwerp and finishes in Oudenaarde. The course is known for its short, steep climbs, many of which are cobbled. Some of the most famous climbs include the Oude Kwaremont, the Paterberg, and the Koppenberg. These climbs are often decisive in the race, with riders needing both strength and technical skill to navigate them successfully.

Notable Winners

The Tour of Flanders has been won by many of the sport's greatest riders. Achiel Buysse was the first rider to win the race three times, achieving this feat in the 1940s. Fiorenzo Magni also won the race three times in the 1950s. More recently, riders like Tom Boonen and Fabian Cancellara have dominated the event, each winning it three times.

Women's Race

Since 2004, a women's version of the Tour of Flanders has been held. The women's race follows a similar route to the men's race and has quickly become one of the most important events in women's cycling. Notable winners of the women's race include Judith Arndt, Nicole Cooke, and Anna van der Breggen.

Related Pages

• Paris-Roubaix
• Milan-San Remo
• Liège-Bastogne-Liège
• Giro di Lombardia
• UCI World Tour
• Cycling in Belgium