Tour of Flanders

This article is about the senior men's cycle race. For the women's event, see Tour of Flanders for Women. For the under-23 men's event, see Ronde Van Vlaanderen Beloften.

Tour of Flanders

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Race details
Date	Early April
Region	Flanders, Belgium
Local name(s)	Ronde van Vlaanderen  (Dutch)
Nickname(s)	De Ronde (Dutch) Vlaanderens Mooiste (Dutch) Flanders' Finest (English)
Discipline	Road
Competition	UCI World Tour
Type	One-day Classic
Organiser	Flanders Classics
Race director	Wim Van Herreweghe
History
First edition	1913 (1913)
Editions	99 (as of 2015)
First winner	Paul Deman (BEL)
Most wins	Achiel Buysse (BEL) Fiorenzo Magni (ITA) Eric Leman (BEL) Johan Museeuw (BEL) Tom Boonen (BEL) Fabian Cancellara (SUI) (3 wins)
Most recent	Alexander Kristoff (NOR)

The Tour of Flanders (Dutch: Ronde van Vlaanderen), also known as De Ronde ("The Tour"), is an annual road cycling race held in Belgium every spring. The most important cycling race in Flanders; it is part of the UCI World Tour and organized by Flanders Classics. Its nickname is Vlaanderens Mooiste (Dutch for "Flanders' Finest"). In 2016 the 100th edition of the race is held, anticipated by a highly mediatized promotional campaign.

Today it is one of the five monuments of cycling, together with Milan–San Remo, Paris–Roubaix, Liège–Bastogne–Liège and the Giro di Lombardia. It is one of the two major Cobbled classics together with Paris–Roubaix, which is on the calendar one week after the Tour of Flanders. The event had its only interruptions during World War I and is organized without hiatus since 1919, the longest uninterrupted streak of any cycling classic.

Six men hold the record of most victories, making the Tour of Flanders unique among the major classics. Belgians Achiel Buysse, Eric Leman, Johan Museeuw and Tom Boonen, Italian Fiorenzo Magni and Swiss Fabian Cancellara each have three victories.

Since 2004, a women's race, the Tour of Flanders for Women, is organized annually on the same day as the men's but at a shorter distance.

Creation

The Tour of Flanders was conceived in 1913 by Léon van den Haute, co-founder of the sportspaper Sportwereld. In the era it was customary for publishers of newspapers and magazines to organize cycling races as a means of promoting circulation.

The Ronde as a regional symbol

By the beginning of the 20th century, cycling was in a poor state in Belgium. Velodromes were closing and national championships on the road or track were no longer organized. The one major Belgian race, Liège–Bastogne–Liège, was in the French-speaking South. As the gloom increased, Odile Defraye became the first Belgian winner of the Tour de France in 1912. He was 20 years old and, although he rode for a French team, Alcyon, he symbolized a potential rise for Belgian cycling. Defraye's victory inspired August De Maeght, mayor of Halle and director of the press group Société Belge d'Imprimerie, to publish a Dutch-language sports magazine called Sportwereld.

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Monument for the Tour of Flanders at Paddestraat, Velzeke, Zottegem.

Sportwereld's most prominent cycling writer was Carolus ("Karel") Ludovicus Steyaert, who wrote by his pseudonym Karel van Wijnendaele. Van Wijnendaele was the fifth of 15 children of a family in the hamlet of Wijnendaele, near Torhout. His father, a flax worker, died when Karel was 18 months. He wrote in 1942: "Being born into a poor family was my strength. If you're brought up without frills ("sober opgekweekt wordt") and you know what hunger is ("door een mager leven gaat"), you grow up hard enough to withstand bike racing." He left school at 14, worked for a baker, looked after cows, washed bottles and delivered parcels. He worked for well-to-do French-speaking families in Brussels and Ostend and felt humiliated by the way they treated him.

Van Wijnendaele tried cycle-racing, won a few lesser prizes but soon turned to writing about cycling as a regional correspondent. This attracted the attention of De Maeght and his collaborator, race organiser Léon Van den Haute, who asked van Wijnendaele to join their new paper Sportwereld. The first issue appeared in time for the Championship of Flanders on 12 September 1912. Van Wijnendaele became its editor on 1 January 1913. He said:

We thought there was a lot we could do in the region (Flanders). We also wanted to publish a paper aimed at the Flemish people in their own language and give them confidence as Flemish. We conducted a 10-year war with the French-speaking management of the national cycling federation in Brussels. And we won it.

The Ronde and Flemish nationalism

All Flemish cities have to contribute to the liberation of the Flemish people

Karel Van Wijnendaele on the conception of the Tour of Flanders, 1912.

Much has been written about the link between cycling in Flanders and Flemish nationalism. Van Wijnendaele wanted to create a race run entirely on Flemish soil, crossing as many cities as possible, because "all Flemish cities had to contribute to the liberation of the Flemish people".

The Tour of Flanders is the only classic to have been held on German-occupied territory during the Second World War and in full agreement with the German command. The Germans not only allowed and enjoyed the race but helped police the route as well. This led to accusations of collaboration in an age where many Flemish nationalists had strong ties with Nazi Germany. After the War, De Standaard and Het Algemeen Nieuws-Sportwereld were sequestered by the state and several journalists, largely non-sports reporters, were sentenced for collaboration. Van Wijnendaele was forbidden to work as a journalist for life, a ban lifted when he produced a letter of support from General Montgomery, confirming that he had hidden downed British pilots during the war and had protected them in his house.

A rival Flemish newspaper, Het Volk, started the Omloop van Vlaanderen in 1945. Het Volk, of left-wing signature, wanted to initiate a new cycling event in Flanders as a rival race to what it saw as the Ronde's closeness to the nazi's. The Ronde's organizers protested that the name was too close to their own – in Dutch there is little difference between Ronde and Omloop. The Belgian cycling federation demanded Het Volk to change the name of the event. That race became the Omloop Het Volk, nowadays the opening race of the Belgian cycling season.

History

The first races

On 25 May 1913 Karel van Wijnendaele organized the first Tour of Flanders, crossing the two western provinces of Flanders. It started at six in the morning in Ghent and finished in Mariakerke, now a suburb of Ghent. It covered 330 km, all on bad roads with just the occasional cycle path. The race finished on a wooden velodrome that circled a pond in Mariakerke, where ticket sales covered only half the prizes.

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Marcel Buysse, winner of the second Tour of Flanders, pictured in 1913

The first race in 1913 was won by 25-year-old Paul Deman, winning the sprint of a six-man group after more than 12 hours in the saddle. Deman went on to win Bordeaux–Paris in 1914, but his career almost ended with the First World War. He joined Belgium's espionage underground war effort and smuggled documents into the neutral Netherlands by bike. After many trips he was arrested by the Germans, jailed in Leuven and held for execution. The Armistice of 1918 saved his life. He started racing again and won Paris–Roubaix in 1920 and Paris–Tours in 1923.

The first race consisted of 37 riders, followed by five assistance cars. In 1914 the field was 47 and the organization still struggled to find enough financial resources. A disappointed van Wijnendaele later said:

Sportwereld was so young and so small for the big Ronde that we wanted. We had bitten off more than we could chew. It was hard, seeing a band of second-class riders riding across Flanders, scraping up a handful of centimes to help cover the costs. The same happened in 1914. No van Hauwaert, no Masselis, no Defraeye, no Mosson, no Mottiat, no Van Den Berghe, all forbidden to take part by their French bike companies.

However, there were hints of the growing status of the race as a symbol of Flemish nationalism (see above). Marcel Buysse, one of Flanders' cycling icons in the early 20th century, insisted on entering the race, even though his French Alcyon team had ordered Belgian riders not to participate. Buysse took part in the second edition in 1914 as one of the favourites and won the sprint of a group of six on the velodrome of Evergem, in the vicinity of Ghent. The distance was scaled back to 264 km.

1920s: Birth of a legend

"La Ronde" is as much part of the heritage of the Flemish people as the processions of Veurne and Bruges, the festival of cats in Ypres or the ship blessing of Ostend. This cycle race is the most fabulous of all the Flemish festivals (kermesses). No other race creates such an atmosphere, such a popular fervour.

Walloon writer Paul Beving and his tribute to his northern countrymen's race

During World War I the race had its only interruptions and was resumed again without interruptions as from 1919. The interwar editions were marked by appaling road conditions and grisly landscapes in war-ridden Flanders, but the Tour of Flanders gained popularity fast.

In the 1920s Flemish track specialists dominated the race. Gérard Debaets, a specialist of six-day racing in the American circuit, won the race twice, his first as one of only 17 finishers in dreadful weather conditions. Swiss Heiri Suter became the first foreign winner, just one week prior before he achieved the first ever "double" win with Paris–Roubaix. In 1926, a group of ten sprinted to the finish. Five of them crashed heavily and Denis Verschueren, competing his first race as a professional, won the race.

The start and finish of the race in Ghent attracted huge crowds and by the end of the 1920s, the Ronde had become an absolute high day of the cycling season in Flanders.

1930s: Problems of success

If the first Rondes were held to limited public success, by the 1930s its popularity had grown so spectacularly that vast masses of spectators along the roads and cars following the race had turned the Tour of Flanders into a true cultural festival. By 1933, there were 164 participants and seven times as many cars and motorbikes in the race caravan. This booming of the event brought inevitable problems of safety. In 1937 writer and Flemish literary icon Stijn Streuvels wrote to Sportwereld that the Ronde, as seen from his house in Ingooigem, was "more a procession of cars than of riders."

To control the plague of race-followers as much as possible and secure the running of our race, we have sent an exceptional request to the roads ministry to have our race followed by several gendarmes on motorbikes [...] They will have the right to penalise anybody who follows the race without permission.

Race director Karel van Wijnendaele in "Sportwereld", 30 March 1938

Historian Rik Vanwalleghem speaks of a "wild rodeo" of spectators driving behind the race and seeking shortcuts across the course to see the race several times. He said the police estimated the crowd for early races at 500,000. People followed the race in cars, overtook it when they could, or stood so thick by the roadside in villages and at control points that the riders sometimes had trouble passing.

Van Wijnendaele involved the gendarmerie in 1933 but to limited effect. The 1937 race was exceptionally chaotic with several accidents, causing race organizers to have the entire course secured by motorized police, in those days a revolutionary move. Since then, the situation started to improve somewhat.

In sporting terms, the race grew more and more international with participants from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Czechoslovakia. Belgians continued to dominate however and Romain Gijssels became the first to win the Tour of Flanders two consecutive times. The editions of 1934 and 1935 were exceptionally rainy, making the races grueling contests of perseverance.

Conditions for riders

The Ronde, in its first decades, followed the general rule that each racer was responsible for his own problems. Help from others was banned and riders carried spare tyres looped round their shoulders to cope with punctures. It could take two or three minutes to change and inflate a tyre, longer if it was cold or there were other problems. Tyres weighed around 500g (compared to currently around 200g). A rim or any other part of the bike that broke spelled the end of the race and still left the rider with the problem of getting to the finish.

Conditions improved in the 1930s and riders were allowed to accept a rain jacket, a spare tyre and a pump, but only in an emergency and at the judges' discretion. A change of bike was allowed only if a frame, wheel or handlebar broke, but riders were still expected to ride with spare tyres and a pump. Riders in the 1940s had to hand their bikes to officials the day before the race to have them identified with a lead seal, later with a ring similar to that fitted to racing pigeons. In that way the judges, or commissaires, could see if a rider had illegally changed bikes.

The Ronde moved towards modern rules in 1951, with riders being allowed limited help from team cars and to combine with others from the same team on the road. By 1955 it was possible to accept a replacement bike from a team-mate but not from a car. The rules changed from year to year until they resembled those of today by the end of the 1950s.

Prizes

Prizes for the first race in 1913 came to 1,100 Belgians francs. By 1935 the fees and bonuses had increased to 12,500 francs, with 2,500 for the winner down to 125 francs for the 19th-place finisher (at a time when a newspaper cost 40 cents). In 1938 there was a bonus of 100 francs for any rider who had a lead of 30 minutes. Prizes during the war years were whatever the organisers could find, including boxes of razors, a stove, bottles of wine and cycling equipment. There were 100 francs in 1948 "for the last rider to reach the finish in Eeklo." The last four riders in 1949 were given bottles of massage oil.

1940s: War years and resurrection

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Statue in honour of Briek Schotte in Kanegem

While World War II loomed, organizing magazine "Sportwereld" merged in 1939 with "Het Nieuwsblad", a popular daily newspaper. "Sportwereld" was made the sports section of both Het Nieuwsblad and its sister daily De Standaard. In May 1940 German troops occupied Belgium. The government escaped to London and the king was held under house arrest. Many sporting events were cancelled, but Het Nieuwsblad continued to organize the Tour of Flanders in agreement with the German command.

The first wartime race in 1941 was won by Achiel Buysse. Because of road restrictions its course was altered to badly surfaced trails and ridges with a start and finish in Ghent, totalling just 198 km.

Despite the war conditions, the 1940s were the remarkable scene of some of the race's most notorious champions. Achiel Buysse became the first rider to win three times. Briek Schotte and Rik Van Steenbergen gained two victories and became the leading figures of Belgian cycling. Schotte linked his named indelibly to the race with 20 participations, eight podium finishes, two victories and several memorable exploits. In 1944 young Rik Van Steenbergen controlled the race, distanced his rival Briek Schotte in the final kilometers and stunned followers by becoming the youngest winner ever at 19.

In 1948 there were a record 265 participants, of which 50 non-Belgians, the largest peloton ever to take the start. Briek Schotte won his second Ronde.

1950s: International Classic

In 1948 the Tour of Flanders was included in the first running of the Challenge Desgrange-Colombo, cycling's first international season-long competition, which had spurred its status as an international event. Until the Second World War, the Tour of Flanders had been organized on the same day as Milan–San Remo, Italy's biggest cycling classic. Prominent Italian and French riders preferred the latter which explains why there was only a single non-Belgian winner before the war. The organizers changed the date to meet the needs of the Challenge Desgrange-Colombo.

Italian Fiorenzo Magni was the first exponent of the internationalization. The Tuscan achieved an unprecedented three consecutive victories in just four participations. The Tours of 1950 and 1951 set the tone, with solo wins by the Italian in cold weather. In 1951 Magni attacked with 75 km to go and finished 5' 35" ahead of Frenchman Bernard Gauthier. Attilio Redolfi came in third at 10' 32" from Magni. In 1955 cycling greatness Louison Bobet, by then a two-times winner of the Tour de France, became the first French winner. Another Frenchman, Jean Forestier, won the following year. Flemish fans needed to get used to the many foreign riders excelling in Flanders, but the international prestige of the race increased fast.

In the last 100 km of the race we were right behind the first riders. We barely saw them: there were so many people along the road and on the road that you had the impression of drowning in a tsunami. In front of me, behind me and beside me I saw cars being driven crazily through orchards, on the sidewalks, along cycle paths, behind spectators, in front of spectators. I felt bumps and bangs on the back of our car. If there were no accidents it was only because our dear Lord and his guardian angels were the best men in the race.

Journalist Louis De Lentdecker in Het Nieuwsblad on the never-ending influence of spectators, 1963

1960s: Ever-growing popularity

In 1961 Tom Simpson became the first British winner in a controversial two-man sprint against Italian Nino Defilippis. Defilippis was the faster sprinter, but stopped pedalling too early because a finishing banner had been blown away and was foiled by Simpson.

The influence of spectators never ended. Crowds stood in huge masses along the roads and the finish was moved to Gentbrugge, in order to cope with the ever-growing number of spectators. Rik Van Looy took his second win in 1962 as world champion amid hordes of fans, securing his status as flag-bearer of Belgian cycling.

In 1969 young Eddy Merckx, on his way to cycling legend, took over this role when he broke clear from the pack with 73 km to go. In bad weather and despite objection from his team manager, he maintained his effort and won the race 5' 36" ahead of Felice Gimondi, the biggest margin ever.

1970s: Controversies and doping

In the 1970s the Tour of Flanders needed to search for a new identity. The asphaltation of many of the traditional roads and hills affected the harshness of the race and more and more riders were able to keep up with the best. Eric Leman became the local hero when he won three times in four years, thereby equalling Buysse and Magni's record. Sprint specialist Leman outsprinted Eddy Merckx as part of a select group on each of his wins, much to the discontent of fans and organizers.

In order to preserve the Ronde's specific character, organizers increased the number of hills and searched for more backroads in the Flemish Ardennes. In 1973 the finish was moved to Meerbeke, not far after the Muur of Geraardsbergen, which became an iconic climb of the race and of Belgian cycling. Three years later the controversial Koppenberg was included.

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Belgian Roger De Vlaeminck climbing the Koppenberg in 1977

It marked the beginning of some sensational runnings of the race. In 1975 Eddy Merckx concluded his second win after another memorable raid to the finish. Merckx, in the rainbow jersey, escaped from the peloton together with Frans Verbeeck with 104 km to ride, before distancing his worn-out companion 6 km before Meerbeke. In 1976 Freddy Maertens and Roger De Vlaeminck, two of Belgium's star riders, were part of a five-man group and favourites to win the sprint, but the two did not get on and let themselves jointly be dropped at 4 km from the finish. De Vlaeminck beat Maertens for fourth place, recognizing his mistake, but stated "he did not want Maertens to win".

In 1977 their rivalry culminated in what became a peculiar race. Maertens punctured on the Koppenberg and was given a wheel by a spectator who pushed him all the way up. De Vlaeminck broke clear, but punctured shortly after and was caught by a returning Maertens. As both riders were alone at the front of the race, De Vlaeminck refused to work. For 70 km Maertens rode to the finish with De Vlaeminck on his wheel and was easily beaten by the latter in a two-man sprint. It was De Vlaeminck's only win. To this day, both protagonists make contradictory statements about what happened. Maertens stated that the judges had told him he would be disqualified for his illegal wheel-change and that De Vlaeminck had offered him 300.000 francs to keep riding. De Vlaeminck denies, saying that he tactically stayed on Maertens' wheel, whom he considered the better sprinter. After the race, the controversy heightened even more, when Maertens and third-place finisher Walter Planckaert tested positive for doping and were both disqualified.

1980s: Dutch and Belgians

The 1980s were monopolized by Dutch and Belgian riders. Dutchman Jan Raas won twice and in 1986 Adri van der Poel concluded the fifth win in seven years by a Dutch rider. Van der Poel beat Ireland's Sean Kelly and Canadian Steve Bauer in a four-man sprint.

However, the decade will forever be remembered for the apocalyptic edition of 1985, won by Eric Vanderaerden. The 23-year-old Belgian suffered a broken wheel before the Koppenberg, but returned to the front of the race in a group with Hennie Kuiper, Greg LeMond and his team-mate Phil Anderson. Vanderaerden, considered a sprinter, attacked on the Muur of Geraardsbergen and rounded off a 20 km solo. The race gained a place in cycling legend because a severe storm broke out in the second half of the race, with strong winds and torrential rainfall ravaging the peloton. Only 24 of 174 starters finished the race, the lowest number in modern times.

In 1987 Claude Criquielion became the first and only French-speaking Belgian winner to date, with an attack after the Bosberg, thereby relegating Sean Kelly to second place again. Classics specialist Kelly finished second on three occasions, but the Ronde remained the only monument classic he never won.

Johan Museeuw achieved 3 wins and 8 podium finishes

1990s: Lion of Flanders

In 1989 the race was included in the first UCI Road World Cup, a season-long competition comprising the 10 most important one-day cycling events. More and more riders specialized in the classics, with the Tour of Flanders scheduled as the first of the April Classics.

In 1993 Belgian Johan Museeuw won the race in a two-man sprint against Frans Maassen and began to dominate the race for years. Meanwhile, the Italian classics specialists were also keen on winning the race, with Moreno Argentin, Gianni Bugno and Michele Bartoli each taking one win. In 1994 Bugno beat Museeuw by 7 mm in a four-man sprint, the smallest margin in history. The next day Flemish newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws put the photo finish on its cover, accompanied by the headline "The Sorrow of Flanders". Nonetheless, Museeuw dominated the race for a decade, with a series of eight podium finishes and three victories. The Flemish media awarded him the highest possible nickname, the Lion of Flanders.

21st century: Monument race

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Filippo Pozzato and Tom Boonen attacking on the final ascent of Oude Kwaremont in 2012. Boonen won the race.

Classic riders Gianluca Bortolami and Andrea Tafi continued an Italian tradition with victories in the early 2000s. In 2005 the race became part of the inaugural UCI Pro Tour and since 2011 of the World Tour, so establishing its status as one of the five monuments on the cycling calendar. After the Museeuw era, no rider could dominate the Ronde until Tom Boonen won two consecutive victories and became the new star of Belgian cycling.

In 2010 Boonen, seeking his third win, attacked with Fabian Cancellara 45 km from the finish. Boonen was favourite to win, but could not keep up with Cancellara's high-paced attack on the Muur van Geraardsbergen. The Swiss time trial specialist powered on in the final 16 km and pushed on to glory.

In 2011 the Tour of Flanders was taken over by Flanders Classics, an umbrella organization that owns most of the Flemish classic races. In their first decision, the new organizers restyled the race and moved the finish to Oudenaarde in 2012. The edition saw Tom Boonen taking his third and final win in a three-man sprint against Italians Ballan and Pozzato. The two following years were again dominated by Fabian Cancellara who based his wins on attacks on the Oude Kwaremont. Boonen and Cancellara had become the absolute protagonists of the race, but were both unable to participate in 2015 because of injuries earlier in the season. Alexander Kristoff became the first Norwegian winner of the race.

In 2016 the Tour of Flanders will celebrate its 100th edition.

Route

Present course

The belfry of Bruges, scene of the start of the Tour of Flanders

The Tour of Flanders crosses the two western provinces of Flanders, West Flanders and East Flanders. Since 1998 the race starts in Bruges, in the northwest of Flanders, close to the North Sea. After the start on the market square in the city center, the race heads south, along broad roads over the flatlands of West-Flanders. In recent years this straightforward southern route is followed for 55 km until Kortrijk in the south of West-Flanders, before heading east, towards the Flemish Ardennes where the landscape gradually becomes hillier.

The first climbs of the race are usually addressed in the periphery of West-Flanders, after 70–80 km of racing. After ca. 100 km the course passes a first time in Oudenaarde, after which the race remains in the Flemish Ardennes, in the southern half of East-Flanders, with a succession of hills (hellingen) and a few flat sections of cobbled roads which determine the nature of the race. The hills offer many opportunities to attack and are usually the decisive sites of the race. These climbs are notorious for being short but very steep, and most of them - but not all - are cobbled.

Most of the climbs are located in a relatively small area, causing the roads to turn constantly and often abruptly, which explains the winding and irregular trajectory of the finale. The Oude Kwaremont is the longest climb at 2.2 km: an atypical hill because it is not very steep, but considered one of the most arduous climbs in Flanders because of its length and cobbled surface. The steepest of all is the fully cobbled Koppenberg, 600 meters in length with grueling stretches of 22% over a poorly paved narrow road.

Since 2012 the race finishes in Oudenaarde. The last two climbs of the race, the Oude Kwaremont and the Paterberg, are both addressed twice in a "loop finale". During the last loop, the Oude Kwaremont comes at 16 km from the finish and the Paterberg at 13 km, often marking the decisive sites of the race. After the Paterberg comes a flat run-in towards the finish, totalling ca. 265 km.

Course changes

Like most of cycling's classics, the route has developed considerably over the years, but it has always been run in the provinces of East-Flanders and West-Flanders. In the first 30 years the race was run from Ghent to Ghent, although the location of the finish in Ghent changed every few years.

The first edition of 1913 headed eastward to Sint-Niklaas before making a clockwise circle along Aalst, Oudenaarde, Kortrijk, Veurne all the way to the seashore in Ostend and via Roeselare back to Ghent. With this course, the race addressed all the major cities of the two western provinces of Flanders. The course of 1914 was similar, but cancelled the leg to the coast.

In 1919 the direction converted to a counter-clockwise course, turning south in Bruges. In 1920 the route extended to the coast again, heading out past Bruges to run along the North Sea from Blankenberge to Ostend. The general route remained this way until 1938. Race director Karel Van Wijnendaele insisted on including the coast to the course because of his sentimental vision of Flanders. The stretches of roads along the sea were often accompanied by strong winds that inhibited attacks but scattered the peloton and spelled the end for those left behind the shelter of the main pack. "Turning left at the sea" meant that the wind blew from the side, producing a diagonal line of riders, each sheltering the other, typical of the Ronde and other Flemish races.

The passage along the coast was cancelled when war broke out in Europe, as access to the sea was restricted. The wartime route was a loop in the interior of Flanders, but in 1946 the race returned to its pre-war route. In 1952 the ride along the coast was abandoned for nine years, then returned in 1961, only to disappear again in 1964.

The Muur of Geraardsbergen was one of the ultimate climbs until 2011

In 1973 the race had a new finish in Meerbeke, for the first time since its inception outside the vicinity of Ghent. The race was no longer a loop and the new finish was much closer to the hill zone, bringing new opportunities to include new climbs in the finale of the course. The Muur van Geraardsbergen, with stretches of 20% and its top at 16 km from the finish was often the site where protagonists launched their decisive attack. From 1973 to 2011, the Muur constituted a pair with the Bosberg, the ultimate climb at 11 km from the finish. The steep Muur in the center of Geraardsbergen, with its prominent chapel at the top, became one of the iconic sites in Belgian cyling and of cycling in general.

In 1998 the starting place moved to Bruges, one of Europe's fairest cities, making a seaside passage possible again, but preserving the traditional finale over the Muur and Bosberg.

In 2012, the finishing place was awarded to Oudenaarde, 30 km to the west of Geraardsbergen, thereby excluding both the Muur and the Bosberg from the race course. The final climbs are now the Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg.

Starting places

The Tour of Flanders has started in three different cities. Until 1976 the race started in Ghent, first on the Korenmarkt in the city's historic center, later at the fashionable Albert hotel on the Clementinalaan, close to St-Pieters Station, where riders signed on. The race was neutralized in the city center until Mariakerke. Until the 1950s a Sunday Mass was held for riders before the start, as the race was often held just before the Holy Week or on Easter day.

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Sint-Niklaas City Hall

In 1977 Sint-Niklaas replaced Ghent as the starting place of the race, mainly because it had more space to accommodate the growing number of spectators on its large market square. Race briefings were held in the monumental city hall. By 1988 the start had grown into a highly mediatized two-day event with a spectacle presented by Flemish television on the evening of the race.

In 1998 the start of the Tour of Flanders moved to Bruges, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its illustrious history and medieval architecture, as part of the city's promotional campaign. The move from Sint-Niklaas to Bruges brought criticism unrelated to the route change. Until then it had been a tradition that spectators could mix and meet with riders before the start. Fer Schroeders said:

"On the Square in St-Niklaas, at the foot of the magnificent city hall, the start of the Ronde was always a privileged moment. The riders came there to sign their papers for the race before happily going to meet their fans, giving autographs, posing for a souvenir photograph with a young admirer. In that respect, times and customs have changed since 1998. [...] Now there are railings to hold the public back from mixing with the riders. The start of the Tour of Flanders has manifestly lost, in its new configuration, everything that made it charming."

Nonetheless, most Flemish fans have embraced Bruges as the starting place, praising the historic site as a fitting tribute to their Ronde. Moreover, the closeness of Bruges to the coast made it possible for the race to pass by the seashore again. Many "traditionalists" of Flemish cycling were particularly enthousiastic of this.

Finishing places

The finish in 1913 was on the velodrome of Mariakerke, part of greater Ghent, but failed to have the aspired success. It moved in 1914 to the Deeske Porter velodrome in neighbouring Evergem where, Van Wijnendaele recounted tongue-in-cheek, "there were a good 20 spectators more than the previous year."

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Oudenaarde campaigned a full year to welcome the Tour of Flanders finish

Wetteren hosted the finish from 1928 until 1961 with some interruptions during World War II, when it was moved to Ghent. Fiorenzo Magni won his three Tours of Flanders in Wetteren's city center. From 1962 to 1972 the finish was in a residential neighbourhoud in nearby Gentbrugge, on the outskirts of Ghent.

From 1973 to 2011 the finish was in Meerbeke, part of the municipality of Ninove, some 20 km west of Brussels. For 39 years the race finished on the Halsesteenweg, with a finishing straight of 400 m, going slightly uphill in the final meters.

In September 2011, it was announced that Oudenaarde would be the new host city to finish the Tour of Flanders, thereby ending a 39-year tradition of finishing in Meerbeke. The new arrival was part of a restyling of the race by new organiser Flanders Classics, which also saw the introduction of "loops" in the course. Many fans and followers were upset with the altered race finale, and the organisation's decision was met with resistance. Tom Boonen was the first winner at the new finish in 2012.

Start and finish:

• 1913 Ghent – Mariakerke
• 1914 Ghent – Evergem
• 1919–1923 Ghent – Gentbrugge (Arsenal)
• 1924–1927 Ghent – Ghent velodrome (Citadelpark)
• 1928–1941 Ghent – Wetteren
• 1942–1944 Ghent – Ghent velodrome (Citadelpark)
• 1945–1961 Ghent – Wetteren
• 1962–1972 Ghent – Gentbrugge
• 1973–1976 Ghent – Meerbeke
• 1977–1997 Sint-Niklaas – Meerbeke
• 1998–2011 Bruges – Meerbeke
• 2012-2018 Bruges – Oudenaarde

Race characteristics

Nature of the race

Riders passing in Lendelede

File:Koppenberg hill 1.jpg

Peloton climbing the Koppenberg

The Tour of Flanders is known for being a strategic race, where race favourites have multiple opportunities of planning their decisive attacks. The tactical part of the race begins in the hilly region of the Flemish Ardennes, where teams and riders often have to react to unpredictable developments and shadow favourites make anticipatory moves.

The steep nature of these hills favours an aggressive, attacking style of riding, making the Tour of Flanders an attractive race for viewing audiences. The peloton often rushes furiously over the narrow roads towards the climbs as teams try to position their captains in the front of the group. A climb is usually followed by a bigger road for some recovery, before taking the next small roads and climb again.

As most hills are in agrarian locations or along small villages, the climbs themselves and the roads leading to them are often narrow, causing the peloton to stretch into a long line and frequently break into smaller groups. Consequently, the best riders are forced to continually fight for space at the front of the pack. The race is therefore both renowned and notorious for its nervous course, with some favourites falling behind early in the race because of a crash or puncture, often unable to return to the front of the race.

File:Alessandro Ballan - 2012 Tour of Flanders.jpg

Alessandro Ballan in 2012

As a consequence, the element of "luck" is arguably one of the reasons why there has never been a rider able to win the Tour of Flanders more than three times, as even the best and greatest specialists of their time suffer bad luck or are foiled by unpredictable race circumstances occasionally.

Since the race's restyling in 2012, the climbs of Oude Kwaremont, Paterberg and Koppenberg, just south of Oudenaarde, are the heart of the action. The Kwaremont is a long section of cobbles that starts sharply before gradually levelling out. It is the site where powerful riders often make the race-winning move, as Fabian Cancellara demonstrated in 2013, when he attacked with Peter Sagan on the lower slopes of Kwaremont before distancing the Slovak on the Paterberg. The Paterberg is the ultimate climb of the day where fans create a carnival-like atmosphere. It is a short but cobbled climb and viciously steep. After 245 km of racing, it is generally an ultimate test of endurance and strength.

The race culture and primal competition is an identifying factor of the Tour of Flanders. Twofold winner Peter Van Petegem says:

It doesn’t really matter where it goes. You have cobblestones and climbs and small roads, and that provides the character of the race.

The climbs

Tom Boonen in the 2010 race

File:2164CancellaraChavanel rvv2011.jpg

Fabian Cancellara and Sylvain Chavanel at the foot of the Muur in 2011

The short, sharp hills in the Flemish Ardennes are a defining feature of the Ronde and the places where spectators gather in vast masses to see the race. In recent editions 17 to 19 of these hills are included in the route, although the number is subject to change as some climbs are cut and others included almost every year. Each climb has its own characteristics that present different challenges to the riders. The Kwaremont, is 2.2 km but relatively shallow. The Paterberg is short and, at 20 percent, brutally steep. The Koppenberg in Melden is the steepest hill of the race at 22 percent with a bad, very uneven cobbled surface. Its road is also extremely narrow and the high banking on either side turns it into a natural arena. Other famous climbs include the Eikenberg, Molenberg and Taaienberg.

The Koppenberg seen from the foot in Melden

The Koppenberg has been dropped some years because it was deemed too difficult and too dangerous. Particularly when wet weather had made the cobbles slippery, it was hard for riders to take the steep slopes all the way riding. One rider falling could bring many others down and, in turn, halt those behind, who often had to shoulder their bikes and run up the remainder of the hill. In 1984 only two riders – Phil Anderson and Jan Raas – got to the top on their bikes. In 1987 Danish rider Jesper Skibby slipped and fell on the slick cobbles, before being run over by an official's car who tried to pass him. The climb was subsequently banned from the Tour of Flanders for the next 15 years.

The Koppenberg returned in 2002 after its surface was renewed. It was briefly dropped in 2007 but was included again in 2008 after the city of Oudenaarde had renovated it. It is now a fixed site of the course. Following cars are diverted before the foot of the climb to avoid chaos.

For more than half a century, organizers have offered prizes and bonuses to the first riders on many of them. In 1940 the first rider up the Kwaremont, Edelare and Kruisberg won 500 francs. A combined prize for best climber on all the hills came in 1950, when Maurits Blomme won bedroom furniture. The prize at the top of the Kruisberg in 1953 was a washing machine; the first up the Muur of Geraardsbergen won 18,000 francs. In 1950 Fiorenzo Magni won 30,000 francs in bonuses during a long breakaway, in those days enough to buy a middle-class house.

In 2015, the 19 climbs were:

Number	Name	Kilometer marker	pavement	Length (m)	Average climb (%)	Max (%)
1	Tiegemberg	177	asphalt	750	5,6%	9%
2	Oude Kwaremont	152	cobbles	2200	4,2%	11%
3	Kortekeer	141	asphalt	1000	6,4%	17,1%
4	Eikenberg	134	cobbles	1300	6,2%	11%
5	Wolvenberg	131	asphalt	666	6,8%	17,3%
6	Molenberg	118	cobbles	463	7%	14,2%
7	Leberg	97	asphalt	700	6,1%	14%
8	Berendries	93	asphalt	940	7,1%	12,4%
9	Valkenberg	88	asphalt	875	6%	15%
10	Kaperij	77	asphalt	1250	5%	8%
11	Kanarieberg	70	asphalt	1000	7,7%	14%
12	Oude Kwaremont	54	cobbles	2200	4,2%	11%
13	Paterberg	51	cobbles	400	12,5%	20%
14	Koppenberg	44	cobbles	600	11,6%	22%
15	Steenbeekdries	39	cobbles	820	7,6%	12,8%
16	Taaienberg	36	cobbles	800	7,1%	18%
17	Kruisberg	26	cobbles	1875	5%	9%
18	Oude Kwaremont	16	cobbles	2200	4,2%	12%
19	Paterberg	13	cobbles	400	12,5%	20%

File:Paterberg in de gelijknamige straat - België.jpg

The steep slopes of the Paterberg in Kluisbergen

File:Maarke - Eikenberg 1.jpg

Eikenberg in Maarkedal

File:Sint-Denijs-Boekel - Molenberg 2.jpg

Scenic Molenberg in Zwalm

File:Geraardsbergen - Muur 1.jpg

The steepest slopes of the Muur van Geraardsbergen at 20%

File:Maarkedal - Ladeuze - helling - Belgium.jpg

Ladeuze in Maarkedal

Climb statistics:

Kluisberg: Buissestraat, Bergstraat, Kluisbergen-Ruien. Climbs 66m from 27m to 93m. Maximum 11 per cent. First climbed 1955

Molenberg: Molenberg, Zwalm. Climbs 32m from 24m to 56m. Maximum 17 per cent. First climbed 1983.

Oude Kwaremont: Broekstraat, Kwaremontplein, Schilderstraat, Kluisbergen. Climbs 93m from 18m to 111m. Maximum 11 per cent. First climbed 1974.

Koppenberg: Steengat, Koppenberg, Oudenaarde-Melden. Climbs 64m from 13m to 77m; Maximum 25 per cent at inside of bend, otherwise 22 per cent. First climbed 1976.

Taaienberg: Taaienberg, Maarkedal-Etikhove. Climbs 45m from 37m to 82m. Maximum 18 per cent. First climbed 1974.

Berg ter Stene: Stene, Horebeke. Climbs 68m from 32m to 100m. Maximum 9 per cent. First climbed 1957

Leberg: Leberg, Brakel-Zegelsem. Climbs 39m from 60m to 9m. Maximum 15 per cent. First climbed 1977

Berendries: Berendries, Brakel-Sint-Maria-Oudenhove. Climbs 65m from 33m to 98m. Maximum 14 per cent. First climbed 1983

Valkenberg: Valkenbergstraat, Brakel-Nederbrakel. Climbs 53m from 45m to 98m. Maximum 15 per cent. First climbed 1959

Muur-Kapelmuur: Abdijstraat, Ouderbergstraat, Oudeberg, Geraardsbergen. Climbs 77m from 33m to 110m. Maximum 20 per cent. First climbed 1950

Bosberg: Kapellestraat, Geraardsbergen-Moerbeke. Climbs 40m from 65m to 105m. Maximum 11 per cent. First climbed 1975.

Tenbosse: Olifantstraat, Brakel. Climbs 28m from 45m to 73m. Maximum 14 per cent. First climbed 1997

Cobbled roads

File:Sint-Kornelis-Horebeke - Haaghoek 2.jpg

Winding Haaghoek cobbled road in Sint-Kornelis-Horebeke

Additional to the hills, the course traditionally includes a number of flat sections of cobbled roads. Recent editions included the Paddestraat (2400m), Mater-Kerkgate (3000m), Haaghoek (2000m) and Mariaborrestraat (2400m). Only the Mariaborrestraat comes in the race finale, as it also comprises the climbs of the Steenbeekdries and the descent of the Stationsberg. Contrary to the fearful sections of pavé in Paris–Roubaix, these roads are in excellent condition nowadays as they are part of a busy traffic network. They haven't been the decisive sites of the race for decades, but many "purists" of the Tour of Flanders want to keep them included because of their value as symbols of Flemish landscapes.

Until the 1950s the many dirt roads and cobbled roads were crucial sites in the race. Historian Tom Van Laere states that the Tour of Flanders had never set out to use poor roads – cobblestoned roads were all that were available if the race were to be long enough. In the Interwar period, Belgium's infrastructure was severely scarred by war and only the intercity roads were smooth. Roads were laid in cobblestones, simply because it was the cheapest material at the time. After the Second World War, Belgium picked itself up from devastation and provinces began asphalting roads.

File:Velzeke-Ruddershove - Paddestraat 1.jpg

Classified Paddestraat in Velzeke

When some of the iconic hills were asphalted, cycling fans and organizers were alarmed by the disappearance of cobbles. Organizer Van Wijnendaele could no longer rely on many of the traditional roads as they were not difficult enough. His staff began searching for alleys and footpaths in maps and talked to people in bars who knew the local roads. "It was either that or risk the race ending in a mass sprint, and that's the last thing organizers wanted," said Van Laere. Most back roads happened to be in the low hills between Ronse and Geraardsbergen, the region that became the heart of the race.

Over the years the mileage of cobbles decreased but the number of cobbled hills rose. The climb of the Paterberg was unpaved until 1986, when its cycling-mad owner paved the road in cobbles because he wanted the race to pass by his house. The site was immediately included by race organizers and has become a fixture in the course.

Several of the remaining cobbled roads in Flanders, including the Paterberg, are now protected sites and classified as part of Flemish cultural heritage.

Weather

As with most cycling races, weather conditions have a significant influence in the nature of the day's race. Under bad weather conditions, the race is often a grueling contest and the peloton is thinned out in the early parts of the race. In modern times, the edition of 1985 was hit by exceptionally stormy weather and only saw 24 finishers. When weather conditions are good, the teams of race favourites can control the race more easily and more riders are able to keep up with the pace. As the weather in April is highly unpredictable in Flanders, the race has repeatedly been affected by rough weather conditions.

Founder Karel Van Wijnendaele was keen on bad weather. He wanted the Tour of Flanders to be a symbol of Flemish culture and a metaphor of the country. As a journalist, he romanticized the race's protagonists in the image of the Flemish people of the time: hard-working, struggling men in a constant battle with the elements. His rhetoric, combined with often harsh conditions, contributed to the image of the Tour of Flanders as a character race where only the most headstrong and physically robust could win. He was quoted saying:

So much the better when bad weather is predicted for the Tour of Flanders. In rain, wind and mud she thrives best.

— Race founder Karel van Wijnendaele, keen on dramatizing the nature of the race.

Rider characteristics

File:Fabian Cancellara Tour 2010 team presentation.jpg

Time trial specialist Fabian Cancellara won three times

Since the early years, winners of the Tour of Flanders acquired the literay epithet Flandrien or Flahute – a French term eagerly used by the Flemish press. Flandriens were riders with a formidable durability who were able to ride fast all day, over vast distances and in all weathers. Their exploits helped cement bike racing as the foremost sport in Flanders.

Because of its demanding course and specific characteristics, the Tour of Flanders has favoured a certain type of cyclists in modern times, known as classics specialists or specialists of the cobbled classics. Main contenders must possess a broad range of athletic potential in order to win. The aggressive nature of the climbs favours explosive riders, but the length of the race requires the highest level of fitness and durability.

Although the race has never ended in a mass sprint, sprinters often do well, especially those who evolved into classic riders, like Tom Boonen or Alexander Kristoff. Time trial specialist Fabian Cancellara successfully focused on the cobbled classics, thereby using his ability to maintain a high pace as a strong weapon on the last hills and on the flat run-in to the finish. Cancellara finished solo on two of his three wins.

Many recent top-placed finishers of the cobbled classics share the same physical attributes. Record winners Johan Museeuw (186 cm and 79 kg), Tom Boonen (192 cm and 82 kg) and Fabian Cancellara (186 cm and 81 kg), totalling nine combined victories, are all powerful riders and among the "heavier" types of cyclists. Recent Norwegian winner and classics specialist Alexander Kristoff is in the same range at 181 cm and 78 kg.

These physical features are not absolute however. Two-times winner Peter Van Petegem (176 cm and 72 kg) and 2011 winner Nick Nuyens (177 cm and 68 kg) were noticeably smaller riders.

Epic races

1919

Gabe Konrad writes: "The 1919 winner, van Lerberghe, showed up on the line in full racing attire but, for some reason, without a bike. He borrowed one from the brother-in-law of another competitor and, prior to the starting gun, threatened the pack that he was going to drop them all at their own front doors on the way to victory. Van Lerberghe hadn't had, and would never have, an impressive career, and all the cyclists laughed as he pulled away immediately – never to be caught. Just prior to entering the velodrome for the finish, van Lerberghe stopped off at a pub to take in a few beers. His manager, worrying that he would miss a chance at victory, had to track him down and get him back on the bike. After he had crossed the line and done his lap of honour, van Lerberghe stood in front of the crowd and, in all seriousness, told them 'to go home; I'm half a day ahead of the field.'"

1939

Karel Kaers, the youngest man to win the world road championship, also won the Ronde in 1939 – without intending to. For him, it was training for Paris–Roubaix. He drove to the Kwaremont hill near Kluisbergen, parked his car, then rode 40 km to the start in Ghent. His plan was to ride round the course with his usual training partner, stop when he got to his car, then drive home. Knowing he wasn't riding the whole distance, Kaers jumped clear of the field – again as training – and rode up the Kwaremont with a minute's lead. But his car wasn't there. He pressed on instead and won the race. His manager had driven the car away to save Kaers from temptation.

1944

Rik van Steenbergen said: "When I turned pro, I couldn't ride it straight away. There were three categories of rider: road-riders A, road-riders B, and track riders. I was registered with the federation as a track rider. At first they wouldn't let me ride the national championship. But Jean van Buggenhout, the manager, got me reclassified on the Wednesday before the race. I won it and became an 'A' rider. Then I could start the year in the Tour of Flanders. I was 19 and I'll probably stay the youngest person ever to win." Van Steenbergen was in the break when several riders fell on the cinder track to the track in Ghent. Van Steenbergen rode round the fallen and won. Next year he decided not to ride. Van Wijnendaele was offended. But Van Steenbergen had realised why he'd turned pro: to make a living. "I could probably win more money elsewhere," he said. "The Tour of Flanders didn't have the attraction that it does now, especially not internationally."

1946

Van Steenbergen returned in 1946 and won again. He said: "That was one of my best wins ever. I could do whatever I liked, ride better than anyone. In the end I was with Briek Schotte and Enkel Thiétard. They were happy just to follow me. We made an agreement. I said that they could stay with me until we got to Kwatrecht. I wouldn't drop them provided they'd do their best to work with me. They were happy with that. They didn't have a choice. Under the bridge at Kwatrecht I just got rid of them."

1951

Fiorenzo Magni, a rare Italian in Belgian classics, won so many intermediate prizes during his long solo flight that they would have bought him a house (see above). He was one of nine to escape the field at Ingelmunster. The others cracked one by one until Magni was alone by Strijpen – the point where he made his winning move the previous year. He rode the last 75 km alone to win the Ronde for the third successive year. Magni won by almost eight minutes and the first five finishers were foreigners.

1961

Such a gale blew in 1961 that the banner over the finish line blew down. The British rider Tom Simpson was clear with the better-known Italian champion, Nino Defilippis. Simpson, the weaker sprinter, accelerated for the line with a kilometre to go. It was too far and Defilipis came past him as he weakened. Simpson struggled to stay with him and was delighted when the Italian began freewheeling just before the finish. Defilippis said he didn't know where the finish was because the banner had blown down, but the two riders had already covered two previous laps of the finishing circuit. For the same reason, the Italian protest that the line on the road wasn't clearly marked also failed. Defilippis asked Simpson to agree to a tie, saying no Italian had won a classic since 1953. Simpson said:

"I replied that an Englishman had not won one since 1896!"

1969

Eddy Merckx dominated world racing in both classics and stage races but couldn't win the Ronde. By 1969 he had not only frustration to contend with but rising resentment of other riders unhappy that he won so many races. He attacked early and half the field never saw him again. The other half was reduced with each successive attack until he got clear alone. The chase was furious but ineffective and Merckx won by more than five and a half minutes over Felice Gimondi and more than eight minutes on the rest. The Ronde remained an unhappy race for him; it was another six years before he won again.

1985

Bad weather has often hit the Ronde. In 1985, a storm broke in the second half of the race. The weather was so bad that only 24 made it to the finish. The race historian, Rik Vanwalleghem, said: "It was a legendary Ronde, one which wrote Sport with a capital S. It was as cold as Siberia all day and the rain fell in torrents [regende het pijpenstelen]. Of the 173 starters only 24 were counted in at the finish. In this apocalyptic background Eric Vanderaerden got back to the front after looking beaten to ride 20km at the head of the race alone. Impressive."

1987

The danger of the Ronde's narrow and badly surfaced hills came close to tragedy when the Danish rider, Jesper Skibby, was bumped by an official's car and fell onto a roadside bank, still strapped into his pedals. The official's car then tried to pass him and ran over Skibby's back wheel, narrowly missing his leg. The hill was judged too dangerous and did not return until the surface had been improved in 2002. The race official continued to the finish, where he was met by angry spectators throwing mud, cups and stones at his car. The incident overshadowed the victory of Claude Criquielion, to date the only French-speaking Belgian winner of the Tour of Flanders.

Opinions

• "Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." – Andrea Tafi
• "I told the organisers it wasn't a race but a war game. It's hard to explain what the Koppenberg means to a racing cyclist. Instead of being a race, it's a lottery. Only the first five or six riders have any chance: the rest fall off or scramble up as best they can. What on earth have we done to send us to hell now?" – Bernard Hinault
• "As a Belgian, winning Flanders for the first time is far more important than wearing the maillot jaune in the Tour" – Johan Museeuw
• "Looking back, you get a bit nostalgic, but from a competitive point of view, Flanders was one of the most horrible races to ride but one of the greatest races to win." – Sean Kelly
• "Many great names of Flemish cycling live on the route of the race. This closeness doesn't exist in any other country. That's what gives our identity." – Nico Mattan
• "These days, you see all the riders, their life is well known. Before, you saw only the last two hours on television. Now, the direct coverage starts before the race has started and the legend that surrounded riders, created in people's imagination, no longer exists. When everything is too realistic, you lose the legend." – Marc Sergeant
• "The Tour of Flanders is unlike any other bike race in the world. It is, without question, the hardest one-day bike race ever created. What seems like a million corners, combined with twenty to thirty steep pitches and narrow roads, none of which go the same direction for more than a mile, all mix together to make it war on a bike. There isn’t a race in North America that compares. Flanders may as well be a different sport." – George Hincapie

Winners

		Rider	Team
1913		Paul Deman (BEL)	Automoto
1914		Marcel Buysse (BEL)	Alcyon
1915	No race
1916	No race
1917	No race
1918	No race
1919		Henri van Lerberghe (BEL)
1920		Jules Van Hevel (BEL)
1921		René Vermandel (BEL)
1922		Léon Devos (BEL)
1923		Heiri Suter (SUI)	Gurtner
1924		Gérard Debaets (BEL)	Labor
1925		Julien Delbecque (BEL)	Armor
1926		Denis Verschueren (BEL)	Wonder
1927		Gérard Debaets (BEL)	JB Louvet
1928		Jan Mertens (BEL)	Thomann
1929		Jef Dervaes (BEL)	Génial Lucifer-Hutchinson
1930		Frans Bonduel (BEL)	Dilecta-Wolber
1931		Romain Gijssels (BEL)	Dilecta-Wolber
1932		Romain Gijssels (BEL)	Dilecta
1933		Alfons Schepers (BEL)	La Française
1934		Gaston Rebry (BEL)	Alcyon-Dunlop
1935		Louis Duerloo (BEL)	Génial-Lucifer
1936		Louis Hardiquest (BEL)	De Dion
1937		Michel D'Hooghe (BEL)	Van Hauwaert
1938		Edgard de Caluwé (BEL)	Dilecta-Wolber
1939		Karel Kaers (BEL)	Alcyon
1940		Achiel Buysse (BEL)	Dilecta
1941		Achiel Buysse (BEL)	Dilecta
1942		Briek Schotte (BEL)	Mercier-Hutchinson
1943		Achiel Buysse (BEL)	Dilecta
1944		Rik Van Steenbergen (BEL)	Mercier
1945		Sylvain Grysolle (BEL)
1946		Rik Van Steenbergen (BEL)	Mercier-Hutchinson
1947		Emiel Faignaert (BEL)	Dilecta
1948		Briek Schotte (BEL)	Alcyon-Dunlop
1949		Fiorenzo Magni (ITA)	Wilier Triestina
1950		Fiorenzo Magni (ITA)	Wilier Triestina
1951		Fiorenzo Magni (ITA)	Ganna
1952		Roger Decock (BEL)	Bertin
1953		Wim van Est (NED)	Garin-Wolber
1954		Raymond Impanis (BEL)	Mercier-Hutchinson
1955		Louison Bobet (FRA)	Bobet-BP-Hutchinson
1956		Jean Forestier (FRA)	Follis-Dunlop
1957		Fred De Bruyne (BEL)	Carpano-Coppi
1958		Germain Derijcke (BEL)	Carpano
1959		Rik van Looy (BEL)	Faema
1960		Arthur De Cabooter (BEL)	Groene Leeuw
1961		Tom Simpson (GBR)	Rapha-Gitane-Dunlop
1962		Rik van Looy (BEL)	Flandria-Faema-Clement
1963		Noel Foré (BEL)	Faema-Flandria
1964		Rudi Altig (GER)	St.Raphaël-Gitane-Campagnolo
1965		Jo De Roo (NED)	Televizier
1966		Edward Sels (BEL)	Solo Superia
1967		Dino Zandegù (ITA)	Salvarani
1968		Walter Godefroot (BEL)	Flandria
1969		Eddy Merckx (BEL)	Faema
1970		Eric Leman (BEL)	Flandria-Mars
1971		Evert Dolman (NED)	Flandria
1972		Eric Leman (BEL)	Bic
1973		Eric Leman (BEL)	Peugeot
1974		Cees Bal (NED)	GAN-Mercier
1975		Eddy Merckx (BEL)	Molteni
1976		Walter Planckaert (BEL)	Mars Pils
1977		Roger De Vlaeminck (BEL)	Brooklyn
1978		Walter Godefroot (BEL)	Ijsboerke
1979		Jan Raas (NED)	TI-Raleigh
1980		Michel Pollentier (BEL)	Splendor Admiral
1981		Hennie Kuiper (NED)	DAF Trucks
1982		René Martens (BEL)	DAF Trucks
1983		Jan Raas (NED)	TI-Raleigh
1984		Johan Lammerts (NED)	Panasonic-Raleigh
1985		Eric Vanderaerden (BEL)	Panasonic-Raleigh
1986		Adri van der Poel (NED)	Kwantum Hallen-Decosol-Yoko
1987		Claude Criquielion (BEL)	Hitachi-Marc-Rossin
1988		Eddy Planckaert (BEL)	AD Renting
1989		Edwig van Hooydonck (BEL)	Superconflex-Yoko
1990		Moreno Argentin (ITA)	Ariostea
1991		Edwig van Hooydonck (BEL)	Buckler-Colnago
1992		Jacky Durand (FRA)	Castorama
1993		Johan Museeuw (BEL)	GB–MG Maglificio
1994		Gianni Bugno (ITA)	Team Polti–Vaporetto
1995		Johan Museeuw (BEL)	Mapei–GB–Latexco
1996		Michele Bartoli (ITA)	MG Maglificio–Technogym
1997		Rolf Sørensen (DEN)	Rabobank
1998		Johan Museeuw (BEL)	Mapei–Bricobi
1999		Peter van Petegem (BEL)	TVM–Farm Frites
2000		Andrei Tchmil (BEL)	Lotto-Adecco
2001		Gianluca Bortolami (ITA)	Tacconi Sport–Vini Caldirola
2002		Andrea Tafi (ITA)	Mapei-Quick Step
2003		Peter van Petegem (BEL)	Lotto-Domo
2004		Steffen Wesemann (GER)	T-Mobile Team
2005		Tom Boonen (BEL)	Quick-Step–Innergetic
2006		Tom Boonen (BEL)	Quick-Step–Innergetic
2007		Alessandro Ballan (ITA)	Lampre–Fondital
2008		Stijn Devolder (BEL)	Quick-Step
2009		Stijn Devolder (BEL)	Quick-Step
2010		Fabian Cancellara (SUI)	Team Saxo Bank
2011		Nick Nuyens (BEL)	Saxo Bank–SunGard
2012		Tom Boonen (BEL)	Omega Pharma–Quick-Step
2013		Fabian Cancellara (SUI)	RadioShack–Leopard
2014		Fabian Cancellara (SUI)	Trek Factory Racing
2015		Alexander Kristoff (NOR)	Team Katusha

Multiple winners

Active riders are in italics

Wins	Rider	Nationality	Editions
3	Achiel Buysse	Belgium	1940, 1941, 1943
	Fiorenzo Magni	Italy	1949, 1950, 1951
	Eric Leman	Belgium	1970, 1972, 1973
	Johan Museeuw	Belgium	1993, 1995, 1998
	Tom Boonen	Belgium	2005, 2006, 2012
	Fabian Cancellara	Switzerland	2010, 2013, 2014
2	Gerard Debaets	Belgium	1924, 1927
	Romain Gijssels	Belgium	1931, 1932
	Briek Schotte	Belgium	1942, 1948
	Rik Van Steenbergen	Belgium	1944, 1946
	Rik Van Looy	Belgium	1959, 1962
	Walter Godefroot	Belgium	1968, 1978
	Eddy Merckx	Belgium	1969, 1975
	Jan Raas	Netherlands	1979, 1983
	Edwig Van Hooydonck	Belgium	1989, 1991
	Peter Van Petegem	Belgium	1999, 2003
	Stijn Devolder	Belgium	2008, 2009

Wins per country

Wins	Country
68	Belgium
10	Italy
9	Netherlands
4	Switzerland
3	France
2	Germany
1	Denmark, Norway, United Kingdom

Winners of the Cobbled Classics Double

On 12 occasions the Tour of Flanders and Paris–Roubaix had the same winner in the same year. Tom Boonen and Fabian Cancellara are the only riders who have achieved this double twice.

Rider	Country	Year
Henri Suter	Switzerland	1923
Romain Gijssels	Belgium	1932
Gaston Rebry	Belgium	1934
Raymond Impanis	Belgium	1954
Fred De Bruyne	Belgium	1957
Rik Van Looy	Belgium	1962
Roger De Vlaeminck	Belgium	1977
Peter van Petegem	Belgium	2003
Tom Boonen	Belgium	2005
Fabian Cancellara	Switzerland	2010
Tom Boonen (2)	Belgium	2012
Fabian Cancellara (2)	Switzerland	2013

Records and statistics

• The longest Tour of Flanders was its first running in 1913: 324 kilometers
• The shortest Tour of Flanders was the war-time edition of 1941: 198 kilometers
• The fastest edition was in 2001, won by Italian Gianluca Bortolami: 43.6 km/h average.
• The slowest edition was in 1923, won by Swiss Heiri Suter: 26,2 km/h average.
• The Tour of Flanders attracts 600.000-800.000 spectators along the road annually, on a total Flemish population of 6.5 million.
• The record for most participations is held by Briek Schotte, who participated 20 consecutive times from 1940 to 1959.
• Six men share the record for victories, with three each: Achiel Buysse won in 1940, 1941 and 1943; Italian Fiorenzo Magni won in 1949, 1950, 1951; Eric Leman won in 1970, 1972 and 1973; Johan Museeuw won the race in 1993, 1995 and 1998; Tom Boonen won in 2005, 2006 and 2012, and Swiss Fabian Cancellara, who won in 2010, 2013 and 2014.
• The nation with the most victories is Belgium (68).
• Seven riders have won two years in a row: Romain Gijssels, Achiel Buysse, Fiorenzo Magni, Eric Leman, Tom Boonen, Stijn Devolder and Fabian Cancellara.
• Only one rider (Fiorenzo Magni) won three consecutive victories.
• Two riders achieved a record eight podium finishes: Briek Schotte (twice first, twice second, four times fourth) and Johan Museeuw (three times first, three times second, twice third).
• Sean Kelly and Leif Hoste have the most second places without ever winning the Tour of Flanders, each finishing second on three occasions.
• Four riders won the race in the rainbow jersey as world champions: Louison Bobet in 1955, Rik Van Looy in 1962, Eddy Merckx in 1975 and Tom Boonen in 2006.
• The smallest margin between the winner and runner-up was in 1994, when Gianni Bugno beat Johan Museeuw by 7 mm in a sprint.
• The biggest margin between the winner and runner-up was in 1969, when Eddy Merckx won by a margin of 5 minutes 36 seconds over second-place finisher Felice Gimondi. In 1951 Fiorenzo Magni won by 5' 35" over Bernard Gauthier.
• The youngest winner was Rik Van Steenbergen in 1944 at 19 years and 206 days.
• The oldest winner was Andrei Tchmil in 2000 at 37 years and 71 days.

Tour of Flanders for Women

Main article: Tour of Flanders for Women

File:Muurgeraardsbergenrvvvrouwen.jpg

The women's race on the Muur of Geraardsbergen

Since 2004 there is a women’s edition of the Tour of Flanders (Dutch: Ronde van Vlaanderen voor Vrouwen), held every spring on the same day as the men's race. It is part of the UCI Women's Road World Cup and is considered one of the most prestigious events in women cycling.

From 2004 to 2011 the race ran over a 115 km course following the last 55 km of the men's race to finish in Meerbeke. Since 2012 the race starts and finishes in Oudenaarde. It is 145 km and has a similar finale as the men's Tour of Flanders, with many of the same hills, except for the Koppenberg. In 2015 the race featured 11 climbs including the Molenberg, Berendries, Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg. It traditionally includes three long flat cobbled sections: Paddestraat (2400m), Mater-Kerkgate (3000m) and Haaghoek (2000m).

Dutch rider Mirjam Melchers-Van Poppel and Germany's Judith Arndt currently hold the record with two wins.

Experience center

File:Ronde van Vlaanderen Museum at Oudenarde 02.JPG

Tour of Flanders Center in Oudenaarde

The Centrum Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders Center) is an interactive cycling-themed experience center and museum in Oudenaarde devoted to the Tour of Flanders. It opened in 2003 with an extensive array of audiovisual material from old television and radio broadcasts. Visitors are able to experience a ride on a cobbled road or experience the Kwaremont climb, in a virtual contest with stars like Peter Van Petegem.

The Center's founder and director is ancient sports journalist and writer Rik Van Walleghem; the museum curator is ancient cycling icon Freddy Maertens, who provides guided tours.

The Center is located on Oudenaarde's city square, close to the finish of the Tour of Flanders, relocated to Oudenaarde in 2012. There is also a brasserie and a museum shop.

Cyclotourism

Since 1999 there is a Tour of Flanders for cyclotourists, organized annually on the day before the professional event. Cycling fanatics can ride the entire 250 km course starting on Bruges' city square, but most favour one of the shorter distances of 127 km or 71 km, which starts and finishes in Oudenaarde. Because of its growing success, the number of participants has been restricted to 16,000 in recent years, in order to secure riders' safety on the roads. Tickets are usually sold out months before the race and half of all places are assigned to non-Belgian participants.

See also

• Tour of Flanders for Women
• Classic cycle races

External links

• Recaps of all Tours of Flanders since 1959 (Flemish television)

External links

• Official website
• Tour of Flanders Palmares at Cycling Archives