What Is the Tour of Flanders?

The Tour of Flanders — or Ronde van Vlaanderen in Dutch — is one of professional cycling's five Monument races and arguably the most beloved Classic of them all. Held every year on the first Sunday of April, it winds through the cobbled backroads and punishing bergs of the Belgian region of Flanders. It is not a race for the faint-hearted.

First run in 1913, the Ronde has grown into a cultural institution in Belgium. Locals line the climbs in their thousands, waving flags and offering riders food, beer, and deafening encouragement. For a Belgian cyclist, winning the Ronde is the ultimate achievement — greater, even, than winning the Tour de France.

The Route: A Tour of Flanders Overview

The modern route covers approximately 270 kilometres, starting in Antwerp and finishing in Oudenaarde. The race passes through the Flemish Ardennes, a region of short, brutally steep cobbled climbs known as hellingen.

The final 80 kilometres is where the race truly comes alive, featuring a rapid-fire sequence of climbs and cobbled sectors that shatter the peloton and reduce the race to a handful of survivors.

Key Climbs to Know

  • Oude Kwaremont — 2,200m long at an average gradient of 4%, featuring long stretches of rough cobblestones. Often decisive when ridden repeatedly in the finale.
  • Paterberg — Short (360m) but brutal, peaking at over 20% gradient. Legs that are already cooked will crack here.
  • Koppenberg — One of the most notorious climbs in cycling. Barely 600m long but a maximum gradient of 22% on rough pavé makes it nearly unrideable in the wet.
  • Wijnpers & Molenberg — Earlier in the route but important for splitting the peloton and wearing down weaker riders.
  • Taaienberg — Cobbled and relentless, a perfect place for an attacking rider to put in a dig before the final circuit.

The Decisive Final Circuit

The race's modern format sends riders over the Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg twice in the closing kilometres. This double passage has transformed race dynamics — attacks on the penultimate ascent of the Kwaremont are often the defining moment of the race. A rider who can build a gap over the Paterberg with 15km remaining stands a strong chance of riding solo to Oudenaarde.

What Type of Rider Wins Flanders?

The Ronde rewards a very specific physique and skillset. Winning riders typically combine:

  1. Explosive power — to accelerate on steep, cobbled climbs from a low speed
  2. Endurance — to survive 6+ hours of racing before the finale
  3. Technical skill — descending, handling cobblestones, and positioning in the peloton
  4. Tactical intelligence — knowing when to attack and when to follow moves

The ideal Flanders rider is a puncheur or a powerful classics specialist — not a pure climber or a sprinter. Think stocky, powerful, and mentally tough.

Race Day Tips for Spectators

If you're planning to watch the Ronde in person, here are a few practical pointers:

  • Arrive at the Oude Kwaremont or Paterberg at least 2 hours early — these spots fill up fast.
  • The finish in Oudenaarde has grandstand seating available through official ticketing — book well in advance.
  • Dress warmly. Early April in Flanders can mean cold, wind, and rain — often all three simultaneously.
  • The race passes most key climbs twice in the final circuit, so you can watch the race pass and then reposition.

Final Thoughts

The Tour of Flanders is more than a bike race — it's a celebration of Flemish culture, cycling heritage, and human suffering on cobblestones. Whether you're watching from the roadside or following on TV, understanding the key climbs and race dynamics will transform your experience of this magnificent Monument.