Lotte Kopecky and Mathieu van der Poel are each seeking a record fourth victory in Sunday’s Tour of Flanders, one of the biggest races in the cycling calendar.
Belgium’s Kopecky won in 2022, 2023 and 2025 and is one of the favourites to take this year’s title. Van der Poel, of the Netherlands, previously won in 2020, 2022 and 2024.
“There are perhaps even more favourites this year than last year,” Van der Poel said in a press release from his team, Alpecin-Premier Tech, citing reigning champion Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia, Belgian Wout van Aert and Denmark's Mads Pedersen.
“And then, of course, there’s the much-discussed participation of Remco Evenepoel," he said. "I’m glad he’s on the start line. The more strong riders there are, the sooner the race opens up. That’s no disadvantage for me.”
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\n belganewsagency.eu \n The men’s race starts in Antwerp at 10:00 and covers 268km, with the finish in Oudenaarde expected at around 16:30. The women’s race starts in Oudenaarde at 13:25, with a route of 164.1km, featuring six cobbled sections and nine climbs. The leaders are expected to cross the finish line in Oudenaarde at around 17:30.
“I’m not concerned about records,” Kopecky said at a press conference. “I’m already happy to have won the Ronde once, but of course I’d like to win it again on Sunday.”
"I can win major one-day races; the confidence is there. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be starting. I can win. I’m certain of that"
Evenepoel is taking part in the race for the first time. “I’m ready and really looking forward to Sunday,” he said on Friday. “It will be my first Tour of Flanders, but I’m now used to riding monuments in the sport. I can win major one-day races; the confidence is there. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be starting. I can win. I’m certain of that.”
On Saturday morning, several thousand cycling fans set off from the Scheldt quays in Antwerp for We Ride Flanders, the amateur version of the Tour. Around 14,000 people are taking part in the 34th edition of the event, held the day before the professional race, over four distances.
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\n belganewsagency.eu \n The route features famous climbs from the final stages of the Tour, including the Eikenberg, Taaienberg, Koppenberg, Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg. Those tackling the longest distance, 247km, will face 16 climbs and over 2,100m of elevation gain.
Around 60 per cent of participants have come from abroad to join the race, with cyclists from France, the Netherlands, the UK, Brazil, Ivory Coast and Singapore among the riders.
Alongside the amateur version of the race, a solidarity event has been organised to draw attention to the impact of terrorism and the need for better support for victims. The Together Stronger ride marks the 10th anniversary of the suicide bombings at Brussels Airport and Maelbeek metro station.
“Every year since 2021, we gather to climb legendary peaks, but it’s more than just a race,” the organisers say. “It is a symbol of resilience, solidarity, and support for those affected by terrorism.”
#FlandersNewsService | Lotte Kopecky at the start of the Dwars Door Vlaanderen, 1 April 2026 © BELGA PHOTO TOM GOYVAERTS
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