“It all depends when Mathieu is going to go" - Fred Wright & Matej Mohoric lead Bahrain - Victorious charge at Tour of Flanders

Whilst Mathieu van der Poel starts as the overwhelming favourite with the bookmakers, there are still plenty of riders who fancy their chances at the 2024 Tour of Flanders, including Bahrain - Victorious duo, Fred Wright and Matej Mohoric.

How do the British National Champion and the Gravel World Champion plan on surprising van der Poel then? “It all depends when Mathieu is going to go, but anticipate, if we can,” was what Wright told Cycling News in his pre-race interview prior to the action getting underway this morning in Belgium.

“Hopefully, we’ve got someone in the early move, then I can anticipate and get in a move across to them. Then Matej Mohoric is behind, he comes across and we’ve got three guys in front," Wright continues. “Then we can see who has got the legs in the end. That’s the plan but who knows with these races. We’ll see.”

Something with monument-winning experience, Mohoric is likely to be one of the most viable challengers to van der Poel. “I don't necessarily like that it's just Mathieu the big favourite,” the Slovenian told Cycling ProNet. “I think this will open up the race early with many riders who want to anticipate him. This is a little bit more tricky… More chaotic race, more attacks, more people trying to get away.”