PREVIEW | Dwars door Vlaanderen 2023 - In the absence of the 'big three', many classics specialists get big opportunity

Preview. It is the final preparation step towards the Tours des Flandres! Dwars door Vlaanderen is one of the most prestigious spring classics and comes directly before the big Flandrien monument.

It's combination of steep climbs and cobbled sectors is ideal for a last-minute preparation, which will take place on 29th of March this year. Here's where and when to watch it.

Between two historical cycling cities, Roeselare and Waregem, takes place the 2023 edition of Dwars door Vlaanderen. It's a big day for the classics specialists specially now that it's a World Tour event. It's the one major cobbled classic where endurance won't play a meaningful role as it's only 183.5 kilometers long. It's one that is very open for outsiders and sprinters to fight for victory, but simultaneously should see the experts on their best legs.

Estimate start and finish times for Dward door Vlaanderen: 13:20 - 17:40CET.

The last 120 kilometers will see the entry in the bergs. They won’t be overly hard, mostly climbs that can put on the hurt in some but mostly just that, possible to open up some attacks early on. With 71.5 and 66 kilometers to go the peloton face the Berg ten Houte (1.1Km; 5.5%) and Kanarieberg (1.1Km; 8.8%), which should be the hardest combination of ascents in the day and has to be used to create damage in the peloton.

More cobbled sectors have been added in the final kilometers of the race, which becomes more selective now. With 28.5, 25, 18, 14.5 and 5.5 kilometers the riders leave five consecutive sectors, with two slight uphill sections in Nokere. They will not be selective sectors, however attacks can come at any time specially right after the sectors as many domestiques will not have the legs to close down the moves right away.

The final 5.5 kilometers will be flat. It’s not a long run-up to the line so to reel attacks in won’t be easy, however it’s possible. The final straight is short, 250 meters long so if it does come down to a sprint positioning will be crucial going into it.

The rain has stopped, to the pleasure of many in the peloton. It won't be a calm day however as the wind will blow hard from the south. Early in the day however, despite there being some crosswind sections, it will see a lot of headwind which should prevent teams from going full-out. Many direction changes make it tricky throughout the bergs. In the final kilometers of the race there will be mostly crosswinds, not ideal for those looking for a sprint.

Jumbo-Visma - Olav Kooij rode to 8th at Gent-Wevelgem. He proved his worth, and in the absence of several of it's leaders the Dutch team may play out a sprint for this one. Last year's runner-up Tiesj Benoot is also present but for him to win he needs to go solo and that won't be easy with the lack of climbs towards the end. Last-minute addition Christophe Laporte will be a big contender however, clearly in form in the climbs, and packing a very strong sprint makes for a headache for rivals. Jumbo are motivated and in form however, others could surprise too.

Stefan Küng & Valentin Madouas - Groupama have been like this throughout this past week and in this race they have to do it again. Both looked sharp at the E3 Saxo Classic, but at Gent-Wevelgem Madouas wasn't present and Küng suffered in the cold. In the absence of the 'big three' Madouas will be a massive danger in the climbs whilst Küng is an ideal rouleur for the finale. They would not surprise if they took the win.

UAE - No Pogacar but UAE are ready to race. Mikkel Bjerg has been on terrific form and his 6th place at Gent-Wevelgem is a great sign. Alongside Tim Wellens and Matteo Trentin plenty moves are expected, as they should all need a solo or very small group sprint to take a win here.

INEOS - Tom Pidcock returns to competition but is a big wildcard. His form is anything but assured after coming down with an injury as a result of crashes at Tirreno-Adriatico. It's not the best suited race for him, however he did finish third last year. Jhonatan Narváez will be an interesting card, whilst Filippo Ganna should be the most dangerous. With some of the big men away, he will be a danger in the final hour of racing away from the main climbs.

There are some riders who've shown great form during this past week. Israel - Premier Tech have had Krists Neilands surprise at the E3 Saxo Classic, and Sep Vanmarcke rode to third at the Dwars door Vlaanderen. The duo find a suiting race here. Nils Politt has also been on the attack quite a lot in Wevelgem, whilst Anthony Turgis was near the front at Milano-Sanremo.

Neilson Powless and Alberto Bettiol come as possible early attackers in the climbs, whilst the likes of Oliver Naesen and Taco van der Hoorn will be more dangerous if the attacks towards the flat finale and the cobbled sectors.

Tim Merlier & Davide Ballerini - Quick-Step remain under big pressure. The exact same talk as in Gent-Wevelgem, it's a team that races to win, but they are very below their typical level. Pressure from Lefevere is at an all-time high. When it comes to the climbs Julian Alaphilippe will be present and hoping to thrive - he looked good at Tirreno-Adriatico, but illness saw him struggle at the E3 Saxo Classic. He should be better here. However the team will likely rely on it's sprinters. Merlier looked very strong at Gent-Wevelgem and has performed well here in the past, whilst Davide Ballerini has also been on good form recently.

Jasper Philipsen - Winner of the Classic Brugge-De Panne, Philipsen is without a doubt in great form and sharp. Having prepared for the cobbled classics I'd imagine this is a big goal. In the absence of van der Poel and Kragh Andersen the Belgian leads Alpecin. The race isn't hard enough to dispatch him normally, but late attacks will naturally be a big threat.

Mads Pedersen - An active Trek is expected. Jasper Stuyven and Edward Theuns seem to be in good form, and Mads Pedersen finds a race well suited to him. Big favourites in my opinion, Pedersen has overworked in some recent races but his form is clear as water. In the absence of the main attackers here, he can finally get the opportunity he's been working for.

Arnaud De Lie & Caleb Ewan - A mystery duo. Ewan looked incredible at Gent-Wevelgem... until he cracked completely late in the race. Shorter distances may see him survive here though. Arnaud De Lie also finds a less chaotic and smaller race where he has better chances of surviving. Both are big candidates if it comes down to a sprint, but no-one will want to carry them to the finish.

Not a race that has frequently ended in a sprint, but top results can be decided by the high speed. Some riders can benefit in this scenario, and with many present alliances can be formed from both riders and teams. There are some top sprinters but who may struggle here such as Sam Welsford, Dylan Groenewegen, Fernando Gaviria, Alexander Kristoff, Gerben Thijssen and Jordi Meeus.

Others may perform better taking into consideration their abilities or recent form. Michael Matthews, Pascal Ackermann, Danny van Poppel, Marco Haller, Jonathan Milan and John Degenkolb will be some outsiders. Cofidis have three weapons with Simone Consonni, Max Walscheid and Gent-Wevelgem surprise Alexis Renard. Arkéa also have quite some weapons, although they most likely will protect with Jenthe Biermans and Luca Mozzato.

*** Mads Pedersen, Christophe Laporte
** Olav Kooij, Stefan Küng, Filippo Ganna, Jasper Philipsen, Arnaud De Lie
* Tim Merlier, Tiesj Benoot, Valentin Madouas, Tim Wellens, Tom Pidcock, Sep Vanmarcke, Davide Ballerini, Julian Alaphilippe, Michael Matthews

Pick: Christophe Laporte