Is this the most beautiful race of the year? Probably … a brutal course, iconic climbs, cobbles. Spring is just beginning to win the battle for the freshly-ploughed Belgian soil, while the trees stand leafless by the roads.
Although a century younger than the men’s equivalent, it is lauded almost like no other on the women’s calendar. It’s a race that makes reputations. Emma Johansson spent years trying to win, often in the face of all but impossible odds. Lizzie Deignan finally broke her duck in 2016. The only Belgian rider, the only Flemish winner in fact, was Grace Verbeke (from Roeselare) in 2010. So, if Jolien D’Hoore wins the Ronde Van Vlaanderen on Sunday, for example, she would be a true Flandriene, a heroine set for life in her home region.
This year, with the recent route announcement for the Giro Rosa confirming a summit finish on the Zoncolan, the Women’s World Tour is racking up the iconic climbs … and a whole host of them fall in the 151 kilometers around the Flemish countryside.
Before the hellingen kick in with the Achterberg (56 kms), there are three nasty sections of kasseien to deal with: Lange Munt, Lippenhovestraat and Paddestraat serve to soften up the weaker riders. From the Achterberg onwards, it’s action all the way to the line. The climbs hit one after the other – Eikenberg and Wolvenberg – followed by more cobbles on the Holleweg and Haaghoek seeing the cobbles off by half-distance.
The magical second half of the race starts with the Berendries (79 kms), Tenbosse (83 kms) and the legendary Kappelmuur in Geraardsbergen (94 kms).
A new addition to the course, the Pottelberg (112 kms) precedes the feed zone; then, it’s into the finale. The Kanarieberg (118 kms) has sections up to 14%, before the long drag of the Kruisberg (125 kms). Rounding things off, the notorious one-two shock of the Oude Kwaremont and teh Paterberg. ‘All that remains’ beyond that is a strength- and morale-sapping 13kms to the finish.
The contenders
Hitting form at the perfect time, Jolien D’Hoore is perhaps the obvious favorite, and is backed by a squad which includes 2011 champion Annemiek Van Vleuten, and last year’s second-placed Gracie Elvin. The pressure is on her shoulders, and the burden of getting her in position will lie with her Michelton-Scott squad. If there’s work to be done closing down attacks, you feel that rivals will simply play on D’Hoore’s desperation to win her home classic.
One day closer to @RondeVlaanderen 🎥 @gracieelvin #RVVwomen 🇧🇪 pic.twitter.com/kCfboPzubQ
— GreenEDGE Cycling (@GreenEDGEteam) March 30, 2018
Defending champion Coryn Rivera heads a mighty Sunweb team, with Omloop van het Hageland and Dwars Door Vlaanderen winner Ellen Van Dijk in top form, Floortje Mackaij making strides, the powerful Lucinda Brand and an experienced road captain in Julia Soek.
Marianne Vos leads the Waowdeals team; somewhat amazingly, Vos has only won Flanders once in her long and illustrious career. Boels-Dolmans, meanwhile, arrive mob-handed with the likes of Anna van der Breggen, Chantal Blaak and Amy Pieters all possible winners.
Canyon-SRAM will be headed by Kasia Niewiadoma, who seems versatile enough to win on any terrain. Wiggle-High5 have lost 2015 champion Elisa Longo Borghini to illness, but three-time podium finisher Kirsten Wild will lead the line.
https://twitter.com/VirtuCyclingW/status/979600359403458561
Alé-Cipollini have Marta Bastianelli, winner in Gent-Wevelgem, along with Janneke Ensing and Chloe Hosking. It is also worth keeping an eye on the improving Virtu Cycling team with Christina Siggaard, and Astana’s Arlenis Sierra.
The race will be broadcast live on Canvas in Belgium and the Eurosport player elsewhere; Twitter updates at #RVVwomen.