Dwars door Vlaanderen will be the final race in preparation for the Tour des Flandres and it marks another important step in the cobbled classics campaign as it features World Tour status and a route that gives plenty riders the possibility of fighting for the win.
With 183 kilometers it comes far from the distance of the big classics, and the bergs and mostly paved, with a few cobbled sectors positioned towards the end which will see a very open race but one that may see a sprint towards the end. 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 70 and 63 kilometers to go the peloton face the Berg ten Houte and Kanarieberg, which should be the hardest combination of ascents in the day and has to be used to create damage in the peloton.
From there on, there will be a few bergs and cobbled sectors, spread throughout the final 60 kilometers. The final cobbled sectors come with 21.5Km (Nokereberg) and 10Km to go (Herlegemstraat). 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 8 kilometers will mostly 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.
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