Classics season is properly underway—weeks of chaos, cobbles, and big swings. The pros are getting ready for one of the biggest races of the year, the Tour of Flanders.
Canadian Cycling Magazine’s James Bunga will be there, but if you aren’t able to make it–Tudor Pro cycling posted a very cool video from Matteo Trentin.
The three-time Tour de France stage winner has been having a solid spring thus far, with a 6th at Gent-Wevelgem…erm, sorry In Flanders Fields – From Middelkerke to Wevelgem, a 10th at E3 Saxo Classic, a 9th at Milan-San Remo, and third at Kuurne – Brussel – Kuurne. He was also 15th at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Next up for him is the Tour of Flanders.
2026 Tour of Flanders
On Sunday, once again Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogačar loom over everything. They’ve traded blows before, but the way Pogi has been riding, what will happen? The Alpecin-Premier Tech was impressive at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, but has had some rare moments of suffering (even though he still won the E3 Saxo Classic, he certainly did so in a tough way.) Plus, we witnessed him actually being caught, along with Wout van Aert at Gent-Wevelgem. He was probably fatigued…but still, if he’s at full strength on Sunday, will that be enough to hold the world champ’s wheel when he goes nuclear on one of the climbs?
Once again, Flanders is the usual brutal grind, this year. long roads out of Antwerp, then a barrage of bergs and cobbles where races unravel fast. Wout van Aert has also been riding well–just missing out on a win on Wednesday. Mads Pedersen looks good too.
There’s Canadian interest too—Nick Zukowsky and Guillaume Boivin on the men’s side, while Maggie Coles-Lyster, Alison Jackson, and Emilie Fortin line up in a stacked women’s field. Will it be another win for Lotte Kopecky?
Check out this cool video of some of the sections of Flanders, courtesy of the Italian pro. On Sunday, he’ll be going just a little faster, too.