{"id":1864067,"date":"2026-04-03T08:31:42","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T05:31:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1864067"},"modified":"2026-04-03T08:31:42","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T05:31:42","slug":"lotte-kopecky-demi-vollering-and-pauline-ferrand-prevot-face-off-in-what-could-be-an-epic-showdown-analysing-the-tour-of-flanders-women-contenders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1864067","title":{"rendered":"Lotte Kopecky, Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot face off in what could be an epic showdown \u2013 Analysing the Tour of Flanders Women contenders"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-1920-80.png&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour of Flanders Women\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Lotte Kopecky, Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot face off in what could be an epic showdown \u2013 Analysing the Tour of Flanders Women contenders<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-04-03T08:31:42Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n3 April 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Can the Queen of the Classics claim a fourth victory in Oudenaarde, or will Demi Vollering or Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot succeed in winning a first Flanders title?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Will one of these riders be celebrating on Sunday?<\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo\" class=\"contents\" data-only-inline=\"1\">\n<div class=\"visible flex flex-row flex-nowrap sticky max-lg:-ml-5 top-[60px] sm:top-0 z-[9994] w-screen lg:w-full h-[50px] bg-white p-0 mb-5 border-neutral-200 border border-solid\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Variants:Inline\" data-analytics-id=\"sticky-nav\" id=\"sticky-nav--inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"sticky-nav\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-row w-full h-full overflow-x-scroll overflow-y-hidden tracking-normal overscroll-x-contain\" id=\"sticky-nav__scroll-container\"><span class=\"pl-4 my-auto text-base font-semibold font-article-heading lg:pl-3 lg:text-sm whitespace-nowrap uppercase\">Jump to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-row w-auto border-y-0\">\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\nborder-b-[3px] border-b-[var(--jumpto-underline-color)] border-solid font-semibold \" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Lotte Kopecky<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Demi Vollering<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Reusser &amp; Lippert<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Elisa Longo Borghini<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Kim Le Court-Pienaar<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Puck Pieterse<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Other riders to watch<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"!m-0\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 sm:ml-1.5 font-base text-xs\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div role=\"dialog\" class=\"hidden fixed inset-0 z-[999999999999999999] bg-[#33333370] flex items-center justify-center p-6 newsletter-modal\" data-batch-endpoint=\"https:\/\/newsletter-subscribe.futureplc.com\/v2\/submission\/submit_batch\" data-batch-source=\"302\" data-component-name=\"Newsletter:Modal\">\n<div class=\"bg-neutral-100 rounded-xl shadow-xl w-full lg:w-2\/3 xl:w-1\/2 p-6 relative max-h-[95vh] overflow-y-auto\">\n<div id=\"newsletter-capture-modal\">\n<div class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0 bg-inherit font-ui-heading\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base font-article-copy\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"Newsletter:NewsletterForm\">\n<hr class=\"modal_hr mt-3 mb-4 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"modal_footer block text-left opacity-80 text-[.8em] leading-[1.3em] mt-2 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline font-article-copy\">\nBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-1e92293d-9af0-4c9c-95eb-647a249e26f6\">In Flanders Fields and Dwars door Vlaanderen are done, the recons are complete, the line-ups are decided \u2013 the women&#8217;s Tour of Flanders and the start of Holy Week is very nearly here.<\/p>\n<p>Flanders is always a clash of the titans, with its historic and challenging course always attracting the sport&#8217;s best riders, but this year the starting field is almost unimaginably good. Almost every single top rider will be in attendance \u2013 Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney being perhaps the one main exception \u2013 and everyone seems primed for a big battle.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-1e92293d-9af0-4c9c-95eb-647a249e26f6-2\">Lotte Kopecky comes to her home race as the defending champion and three-time champion, an undeniable expert on how to win in Oudenaarde. But Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot have been at altitude to prepare for this race, and both have the added drive of never having won before.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Kopecky, Wiebes, Vollering ready to battle after last year&#8217;s upset \u2013 Analysing the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women contenders<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">More than a Tour of Flanders warm-up \u2013 Analysing the contenders at Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Will Demi Vollering take a third win or can the powerful SD Worx-Protime and Visma-Lease a Bike duos stand in her way? \u2013\u00a0Analysing the favourites for Strade Bianche Women<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">And then there&#8217;s the star-studded cast of Movistar, who are on a winning streak, former winner Elisa Longo Borghini, prodigious talent Puck Pieterse, and numerous teammates who could be leaders and winners themselves.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Flanders always delivers, but two days out from the race, this year&#8217;s edition looks set to be one for the ages.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The women&#8217;s Flanders route has been slightly tweaked for 2026, taking out some climbing and elevation gain, but it remains characteristically challenging, taking in 164km, nine climbs and six sectors of cobbles. The finale features the iconic, punishing Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg combination, which will surely be decisive in the race, but history tells us things will open up and split apart much, much earlier.<\/p>\n<p>With a mixture of the some of the peloton&#8217;s best one-day racers and Grand Tour-winning climbers, this race is going to come down to killer efforts on the climbs, and then an all-out battle to the line \u2013 hopefully, between some very big hitters.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-YktEeui5nGnNDY4yTB6EaT\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-YktEeui5nGnNDY4yTB6EaT slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">It seems harder than ever to predict who might lift the trophy in Oudenaarde on Sunday evening, but with all the pre-race talk and action digested, here are <em>Cyclingnews&#8217; <\/em>picks for the women&#8217;s Tour of Flanders.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-lotte-kopecky-sd-worx-protime\"><span>Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) <\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-5776d31b-3f38-4f60-8b2f-860b589efe78\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QA29koQarCiGLEMs7RhWm6-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QA29koQarCiGLEMs7RhWm6-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QA29koQarCiGLEMs7RhWm6-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QA29koQarCiGLEMs7RhWm6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QA29koQarCiGLEMs7RhWm6-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QA29koQarCiGLEMs7RhWm6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Kopecky surged to victory at Milan-San Remo <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-dc287c0a-a97d-4853-b384-1456226ab9bb\">Though the strength of the field probably doesn&#8217;t quite earn her the title of overwhelming favourite, the rider obviously at the top of this list is three-time Flanders champion Lotte Kopecky. After winning Flanders for a third time last spring, the Belgian star had a bit of a tricky rest of 2025, dealing with some injuries, and there was some pressure on her shoulders at the start of the spring. However, she fairly quickly dispelled that pressure by winning Milan-San Remo in spectacular fashion, adding another Monument to her palmar\u00e8s.<\/p>\n<p>Kopecky clearly knows how to win this race, and in several different ways, but the field she&#8217;ll face this Sunday is perhaps her fiercest challenge yet in Flanders. She&#8217;ll face Vollering as a non-teammate for the first time, plus Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot, Reusser and more, so she can expect to be pushed to the limits on the climbs. The plus will be that she&#8217;s back to focusing solely on the Classics this year, so she should be near enough her top level. If she&#8217;s as strong as she was in Milan-San Remo, she certainly won&#8217;t be easy to beat.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qixjpw9jRzhNUWhLGW5nM6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qixjpw9jRzhNUWhLGW5nM6-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;We know we are able to win&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot returns to Tour of Flanders as a firm favourite after &#8216;unexpected&#8217; success in 2025<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Sprinters vs attackers on the Kemmelberg \u2013\u00a0Analysing the contenders for In Flanders Fields<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">From top riders&#8217; real form to the teams not quite thriving \u2013 Five key questions ahead of Milan-San Remo and the next Classics<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>All signs point to Kopecky leading Flanders, but SD Worx also have the wildcard option of Lorena Wiebes, who showed monster climbing and attacking skills at In Flanders Fields. Something would probably have to go wrong for Kopecky for Wiebes to be launched into a leadership position, but that&#8217;s not unthinkable, and the Dutchwoman is certainly capable of a really good finish in her own right.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-demi-vollering-fdj-united-suez\"><span>Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-c0d1df57-c7d3-42f7-85ce-7763549dab33\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Muxpx867Wq2T29zgm4zZ6-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Muxpx867Wq2T29zgm4zZ6-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Muxpx867Wq2T29zgm4zZ6-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Muxpx867Wq2T29zgm4zZ6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Muxpx867Wq2T29zgm4zZ6-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Muxpx867Wq2T29zgm4zZ6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Vollering won the opening Classic of the season, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-12314467-70cb-45de-8c05-d7379a4d0d12\">Demi Vollering hasn&#8217;t raced Flanders for two years, nor since she joined FDJ United-Suez. The last time she was here in 2024 came just days after her SD Worx-Protime unceremoniously let slip that she would be leaving the team, sparking drama whilst Vollering was mid-race at Dwars door Vlaanderen, which understandably threw off her week. So we haven&#8217;t seen her at her very best in Flanders for some time, and it&#8217;s clearly one of the biggest races she still wants to win.<\/p>\n<p>Her preparation for this race has mainly been done at altitude, so she&#8217;s absolutely made a big goal of Sunday and will be pursuing a hard, selective race on the climbs. She was strong at Dwars door Vlaanderen, only beaten in the sprint by Marlen Reusser, which is a good sign for her general race rhythm. Don&#8217;t forget she already won Omloop Het Nieuwsblad too, so she&#8217;s on good Classics form. With the mightily strong and united FDJ team behind her, Vollering will be a force to be reckoned with on Sunday.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-pauline-ferrand-prevot-visma-lease-a-bike\"><span>Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot (Visma-Lease a Bike)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-9292e62d-b627-4f93-8f30-3c8ee0922423\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MnwPLetRSaMfYvSs2D8eXR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MnwPLetRSaMfYvSs2D8eXR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MnwPLetRSaMfYvSs2D8eXR-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MnwPLetRSaMfYvSs2D8eXR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MnwPLetRSaMfYvSs2D8eXR-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MnwPLetRSaMfYvSs2D8eXR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot has only raced once this season <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-164cea38-8767-46cc-af12-dee7af7772bd\">Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot said already at the end of last year that one of the next things she wanted to win was Flanders, and when she wants to win, she often does, so beware the Frenchwoman. We&#8217;re yet to really see where Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot is form-wise in 2026, after an injury saw her take an extended time off the bike over the winter. She came back for Strade Bianche but didn&#8217;t really figure in the key moments, though not necessarily due to a lack of form.<\/p>\n<p>Since then, she&#8217;s been at altitude training specifically for this and the Ardennes, and history points to her coming off altitude absolutely flying. She&#8217;s not a rider who needs to get much rhythm in her legs in order to win \u2013 just look at her Roubaix win, when she wasn&#8217;t even meant to start \u2013 so there&#8217;s nothing really to read into the fact she hasn&#8217;t raced much so far. Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot will want to make the race hard, and she has the form to do that, plus her second place last year proved that she absolutely can win this race. She is probably Lotte Kopecky&#8217;s biggest rival, and a huge contender to take the win \u2013 perhaps even the favourite.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-marlen-reusser-liane-lippert-movistar\"><span>Marlen Reusser &amp; Liane Lippert (Movistar)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-284fe4fc-b540-4ded-8c87-4e4d2186d55e\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5tnj7ttkxyShQLpq8xRg2h-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5tnj7ttkxyShQLpq8xRg2h-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5tnj7ttkxyShQLpq8xRg2h-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5tnj7ttkxyShQLpq8xRg2h-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5tnj7ttkxyShQLpq8xRg2h-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5tnj7ttkxyShQLpq8xRg2h-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Reusser claimed Dwars door Vlaanderen victory <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-c6db8fce-9557-4d89-9a72-de32c4c00ba7\">Forget any notion that Movistar aren&#8217;t a Classics team, they absolutely are and in fact they may be one of the strongest squads on the start line on Sunday. They can choose between Marlen Reusser and Liane Lippert as leaders, and can even play Cat Ferguson as a bit of a wildcard, too. Reusser comes into Flanders on fine form, having just won Dwars door Vlaanderen in masterful fashion, even after several weeks sidelined by an injury. Her team say she&#8217;s mainly building towards the Vuelta, but she&#8217;s clearly flying right now, and won&#8217;t hold back on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>Liane Lippert is also a fantastic second option for Movistar, and she has made Flanders and the Ardennes two of her key goals this year, so she will be raring to go on Sunday. She was also very strong on Wednesday, ultimately riding defensively in the chase group with Reusser up the road but still clearly on the level of all the top riders. She will take a lot of confidence from her third place in Flanders last year, and could stand to profit if the big names mark each other or mess around.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-elisa-longo-borghini-uae-team-adq\"><span>Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-cd653be3-6b69-4daf-9d11-cde8a97734e3\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/azvnWkS278tnHS8GgA6SRn-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/azvnWkS278tnHS8GgA6SRn-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/azvnWkS278tnHS8GgA6SRn-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/azvnWkS278tnHS8GgA6SRn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/azvnWkS278tnHS8GgA6SRn-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/azvnWkS278tnHS8GgA6SRn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Longo Borghini may not be at top form on Sunday <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-7c5b6a30-bc32-415a-bdfc-9c6c9cba10b7\">2024 winner Elisa Longo Borghini is still struggling with sickness and will probably not be at her top level on Sunday after suffering from flu earlier in the season. As a former winner, she can never be counted out, and isn&#8217;t a rider who always needs to have the perfect run-in in order to win, but from her coughing and general health on Wednesday, it seems like it will be a challenge for her to be with the very best climbers on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>The positive for the Italian, though, is that her UAE team has consistently proved themselves as one of the best strongest teams in the peloton this spring with riders like Karlijn Swinkels, Eleonora Gasparrini and Silvia Persico. They might not be ready to win this race themselves, but they&#8217;ll certainly be very good support for Longo Borghini whenever she needs it, and could absolutely still fight for the top five if she does struggle.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-kim-le-court-pienaar-ag-insurance-soudal\"><span>Kim Le Court-Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-1bc65e3d-a656-4a55-9c1a-727e4563ed8f\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UEJq8wEDWdpNGUxJA6GTzc-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UEJq8wEDWdpNGUxJA6GTzc-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UEJq8wEDWdpNGUxJA6GTzc-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UEJq8wEDWdpNGUxJA6GTzc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UEJq8wEDWdpNGUxJA6GTzc-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UEJq8wEDWdpNGUxJA6GTzc-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The Mauritian champion is chasing another Monument win <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-f16d7d7d-f573-4b48-a2a0-5d88ee858dc1\">Kim Le Court-Pienaar made history last year when she became the first African rider to win a Monument with her victory at Li\u00e8ge\u2013Bastogne\u2013Li\u00e8ge, and she&#8217;s hunting more success this spring. So far, her results have been fairly middling, caught in the wrong group at Strade Bianche and then crashing on that scary descent at Milan-San Remo, but she was fifth in Flanders last year, so she&#8217;ll definitely have an eye on this as her chance to grab a better result.<\/p>\n<p>She will be supported by a quietly really strong AG Insurance-Soudal team, with Justine Ghekiere a serious asset on the climbs, plus the strength of Letizia Borghesi, Ilse Pluimers and Shari Bossuyt. Le Court-Pienaar has proven time and time again that if there&#8217;s an elite selection, she&#8217;s probably going to be in it, and we don&#8217;t expect anything less on Sunday.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-puck-pieterse-fenix-premier-tech\"><span>Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-19a77541-12e6-4b03-84af-1688d20e40b2\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3me94KdBXV4oQtnXJGVbDj-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3me94KdBXV4oQtnXJGVbDj-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3me94KdBXV4oQtnXJGVbDj-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3me94KdBXV4oQtnXJGVbDj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3me94KdBXV4oQtnXJGVbDj-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3me94KdBXV4oQtnXJGVbDj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Puck Pieterse has become incredibly consistent in the Classics <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-5f24540e-1aa2-46e8-abf3-123a094659ea\">Puck Pieterse has firmly moved on from rising star status and into the ranks of the favourites, but she is still waiting for a big victory on the cobbles \u2013 she was the winner of La Fl\u00e8che Wallonne in 2025, of course. Five race days into 2026 and she&#8217;s yet to finish outside the top 17, with sixth at Strade Bianche and fourth at Milan-San Remo her highlights. She&#8217;s been really attacking and strong, but maybe just outpowered by stronger riders at the finish which has prevented her from recording a podium finish so far in 2026.<\/p>\n<p>She&#8217;s done Flanders twice already now, finishing ninth and sixth, so she&#8217;ll be hoping to be in the top five as a minimum this weekend. A talented climber, especially when they&#8217;re punchy, she should be able to compete with the best at the pointy end of the race but could struggle to match the endurance of riders like Vollering and Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot. She has also suffered sometimes with a lack of teammates, but will look to Flora Perkins and Millie Couzens, who have shone recently, for support.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-other-riders-to-watch\"><span>Other riders to watch<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-fac4f132-7b8d-4ea1-a7b9-dd0f19b586ce\">Lidl-Trek haven&#8217;t confirmed their line-up yet but look set to leave out star of the spring Fleur Moors, and will look to <strong>Shirin van Anrooij<\/strong> and Elisa Balsamo as their leaders. If we&#8217;re expecting a more attacking, climber-led race, Van Anrooij is probably their best bet. She finished third here in 2024.<\/p>\n<p>EF Education-Oatly&#8217;s <strong>Noemi R\u00fcegg <\/strong>is transitioning from dark horse to serious contender in the Classics, but her Flanders record is only modest \u2013 15th is her best result.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Thalita de Jong <\/strong>(Human Powered Health) is a super underrated rider who is so experienced in these races and always there, as she was yet again at Dwars door Vlaanderen. A crash forced her to miss the cobbled Classics last year but she can aim for a top 10.<\/p>\n<p>Picnic PostNL are struggling for results and leaders, and will probably rely on <strong>Pfeiffer Georgi <\/strong>to be their last rider standing on Sunday. A top 10 would become their best Classics result of the season.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled 2026 Spring Classics coverage with a Cyclingnews subscription. We&#8217;ll bring you breaking news, reports, and analysis from some of the biggest races on the calendar, including Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-YktEeui5nGnNDY4yTB6EaT\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-YktEeui5nGnNDY4yTB6EaT slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Matilda Price<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Assistant Features Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Matilda is an NCTJ-qualified journalist based in the UK who joined <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>in March 2025. Prior to that, she worked as the Racing News Editor at <em>GCN<\/em>, and extensively as a freelancer contributing to <em>Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Velo, Rouleur, Escape Collective, Red Bull <\/em>and more. She has reported on the ground at all of the biggest events on the calendar, including the men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s Tours de France, the Giro d&#8217;Italia, the Vuelta a Espana, the Spring Classics and the World Championships. She has particular experience and expertise in women&#8217;s cycling, and women&#8217;s sport in general. She is a graduate of modern languages and sports journalism.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Kopecky, Wiebes, Vollering ready to battle after last year&#8217;s upset \u2013 Analysing the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women contenders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">More than a Tour of Flanders warm-up \u2013 Analysing the contenders at Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Will Demi Vollering take a third win or can the powerful SD Worx-Protime and Visma-Lease a Bike duos stand in her way? \u2013\u00a0Analysing the favourites for Strade Bianche Women<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qixjpw9jRzhNUWhLGW5nM6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qixjpw9jRzhNUWhLGW5nM6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qixjpw9jRzhNUWhLGW5nM6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qixjpw9jRzhNUWhLGW5nM6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qixjpw9jRzhNUWhLGW5nM6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We know we are able to win&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot returns to Tour of Flanders as a firm favourite after &#8216;unexpected&#8217; success in 2025<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sprinters vs attackers on the Kemmelberg \u2013\u00a0Analysing the contenders for In Flanders Fields<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">From top riders&#8217; real form to the teams not quite thriving \u2013 Five key questions ahead of Milan-San Remo and the next Classics<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w3FiB6T4ivzDnQn4Mhc586-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w3FiB6T4ivzDnQn4Mhc586-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w3FiB6T4ivzDnQn4Mhc586-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w3FiB6T4ivzDnQn4Mhc586-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w3FiB6T4ivzDnQn4Mhc586-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Former Tour of Flanders winner Marianne Vos not racing Sunday to direct focus on family after father&#8217;s death<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vh34BooamCivwXpsDSrfAZ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vh34BooamCivwXpsDSrfAZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vh34BooamCivwXpsDSrfAZ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vh34BooamCivwXpsDSrfAZ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vh34BooamCivwXpsDSrfAZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I can give others some pressure&#8217; \u2013 Why Lorena Wiebes could be the most influential rider on the Tour of Flanders start line<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rgsBNinvxShtJQJLdgF5TN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rgsBNinvxShtJQJLdgF5TN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rgsBNinvxShtJQJLdgF5TN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rgsBNinvxShtJQJLdgF5TN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rgsBNinvxShtJQJLdgF5TN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">With no Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney, Canyon-SRAM look to Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt and Chlo\u00e9 Dygert for Tour of Flanders success<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rQUmTL7KBfwegCtHuo9pzG-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rQUmTL7KBfwegCtHuo9pzG-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rQUmTL7KBfwegCtHuo9pzG-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rQUmTL7KBfwegCtHuo9pzG-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rQUmTL7KBfwegCtHuo9pzG-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;m just at the level I want to be&#8217; \u2013 Lotte Kopecky says she &#8216;doesn&#8217;t really care&#8217; whether rivals view her as Tour of Flanders frontrunner<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FfdxoCuvaseHxxiP7F3rrW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FfdxoCuvaseHxxiP7F3rrW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FfdxoCuvaseHxxiP7F3rrW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FfdxoCuvaseHxxiP7F3rrW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FfdxoCuvaseHxxiP7F3rrW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Being a little sneaky&#8217; with smart teamwork, Kristen Faulkner starts her European season at Tour of Flanders and says EF Education-Oatly &#8216;can surprise the field&#8217;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qixjpw9jRzhNUWhLGW5nM6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qixjpw9jRzhNUWhLGW5nM6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qixjpw9jRzhNUWhLGW5nM6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qixjpw9jRzhNUWhLGW5nM6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qixjpw9jRzhNUWhLGW5nM6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We know we are able to win&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot returns to Tour of Flanders as a firm favourite after &#8216;unexpected&#8217; success in 2025<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Previews<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Van der Poel, Van Aert lead challenge against Poga\u010dar, but can debutant Evenepoel spoil the party in rare matchup? \u2013 Analysing the favourites for the men&#8217;s Tour of Flanders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">More than a Tour of Flanders warm-up \u2013 Analysing the contenders at Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A8rsyrMGbAaRxUEhoGGAWF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A8rsyrMGbAaRxUEhoGGAWF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A8rsyrMGbAaRxUEhoGGAWF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A8rsyrMGbAaRxUEhoGGAWF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A8rsyrMGbAaRxUEhoGGAWF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar has changed E3 Saxo Classic&#8217;s status but it remains the best Flanders form guide \u2013 A closer look at the contenders for Friday&#8217;s race<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sprinters vs attackers on the Kemmelberg \u2013\u00a0Analysing the contenders for In Flanders Fields<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SENYq3cAranrr2cSVGCWi4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SENYq3cAranrr2cSVGCWi4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SENYq3cAranrr2cSVGCWi4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SENYq3cAranrr2cSVGCWi4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SENYq3cAranrr2cSVGCWi4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">New name, new route, new winners? \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s Ronde Van Brugge<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tdMM9USiVzeJJ9QkhvYSBE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tdMM9USiVzeJJ9QkhvYSBE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tdMM9USiVzeJJ9QkhvYSBE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tdMM9USiVzeJJ9QkhvYSBE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tdMM9USiVzeJJ9QkhvYSBE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Crunch time in the Pyrenees for Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel and Tom Pidcock \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the 2026 Volta a Catalunya<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E5dqAv8QTj8CEBHYY4GxpA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E5dqAv8QTj8CEBHYY4GxpA-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E5dqAv8QTj8CEBHYY4GxpA-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E5dqAv8QTj8CEBHYY4GxpA-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E5dqAv8QTj8CEBHYY4GxpA.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E5dqAv8QTj8CEBHYY4GxpA.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E5dqAv8QTj8CEBHYY4GxpA.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;Not a disadvantage for me&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel welcomes addition of Remco Evenepoel to Tour of Flanders but warns against underestimating debutant<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;It shook me for a while&#8217; &#8211; Florian Vermeersch opens up about online abuse he received after helping chase down Wout van Aert at Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">With no Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney, Canyon-SRAM look to Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt and Chlo\u00e9 Dygert for Tour of Flanders success<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;I can give others some pressure&#8217; \u2013 Why Lorena Wiebes could be the most influential rider on the Tour of Flanders start line<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;I heard some rumours&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar says he wasn&#8217;t too surprised by Remco Evenepoel making shock Tour of Flanders debut<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour of Flanders Women\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Lotte Kopecky, Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot face off in what could be an epic showdown \u2013 Analysing the Tour of Flanders Women contenders<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-04-03T08:31:42Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n3 April 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Can the Queen of the Classics claim a fourth victory in Oudenaarde, or will Demi Vollering or Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot succeed in winning a first Flanders title?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Will one of these riders be celebrating on Sunday?<\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo\" class=\"contents\" data-only-inline=\"1\">\n<div class=\"visible flex flex-row flex-nowrap sticky max-lg:-ml-5 top-[60px] sm:top-0 z-[9994] w-screen lg:w-full h-[50px] bg-white p-0 mb-5 border-neutral-200 border border-solid\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Variants:Inline\" data-analytics-id=\"sticky-nav\" id=\"sticky-nav--inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"sticky-nav\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-row w-full h-full overflow-x-scroll overflow-y-hidden tracking-normal overscroll-x-contain\" id=\"sticky-nav__scroll-container\"><span class=\"pl-4 my-auto text-base font-semibold font-article-heading lg:pl-3 lg:text-sm whitespace-nowrap uppercase\">Jump to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-row w-auto border-y-0\">\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\nborder-b-[3px] border-b-[var(--jumpto-underline-color)] border-solid font-semibold \" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Lotte Kopecky<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Demi Vollering<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Reusser &amp; Lippert<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Elisa Longo Borghini<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Kim Le Court-Pienaar<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Puck Pieterse<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Other riders to watch<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"!m-0\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 sm:ml-1.5 font-base text-xs\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div role=\"dialog\" class=\"hidden fixed inset-0 z-[999999999999999999] bg-[#33333370] flex items-center justify-center p-6 newsletter-modal\" data-batch-endpoint=\"https:\/\/newsletter-subscribe.futureplc.com\/v2\/submission\/submit_batch\" data-batch-source=\"302\" data-component-name=\"Newsletter:Modal\">\n<div class=\"bg-neutral-100 rounded-xl shadow-xl w-full lg:w-2\/3 xl:w-1\/2 p-6 relative max-h-[95vh] overflow-y-auto\">\n<div id=\"newsletter-capture-modal\">\n<div class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0 bg-inherit font-ui-heading\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base font-article-copy\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"Newsletter:NewsletterForm\">\n<hr class=\"modal_hr mt-3 mb-4 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"modal_footer block text-left opacity-80 text-[.8em] leading-[1.3em] mt-2 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline font-article-copy\">\nBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-1e92293d-9af0-4c9c-95eb-647a249e26f6\">In Flanders Fields and Dwars door Vlaanderen are done, the recons are complete, the line-ups are decided \u2013 the women&#8217;s Tour of Flanders and the start of Holy Week is very nearly here.<\/p>\n<p>Flanders is always a clash of the titans, with its historic and challenging course always attracting the sport&#8217;s best riders, but this year the starting field is almost unimaginably good. Almost every single top rider will be in attendance \u2013 Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney being perhaps the one main exception \u2013 and everyone seems primed for a big battle.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-1e92293d-9af0-4c9c-95eb-647a249e26f6-2\">Lotte Kopecky comes to her home race as the defending champion and three-time champion, an undeniable expert on how to win in Oudenaarde. But Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot have been at altitude to prepare for this race, and both have the added drive of never having won before.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Kopecky, Wiebes, Vollering ready to battle after last year&#8217;s upset \u2013 Analysing the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women contenders<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">More than a Tour of Flanders warm-up \u2013 Analysing the contenders at Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Will Demi Vollering take a third win or can the powerful SD Worx-Protime and Visma-Lease a Bike duos stand in her way? \u2013\u00a0Analysing the favourites for Strade Bianche Women<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">And then there&#8217;s the star-studded cast of Movistar, who are on a winning streak, former winner Elisa Longo Borghini, prodigious talent Puck Pieterse, and numerous teammates who could be leaders and winners themselves.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Flanders always delivers, but two days out from the race, this year&#8217;s edition looks set to be one for the ages.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The women&#8217;s Flanders route has been slightly tweaked for 2026, taking out some climbing and elevation gain, but it remains characteristically challenging, taking in 164km, nine climbs and six sectors of cobbles. The finale features the iconic, punishing Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg combination, which will surely be decisive in the race, but history tells us things will open up and split apart much, much earlier.<\/p>\n<p>With a mixture of the some of the peloton&#8217;s best one-day racers and Grand Tour-winning climbers, this race is going to come down to killer efforts on the climbs, and then an all-out battle to the line \u2013 hopefully, between some very big hitters.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-YktEeui5nGnNDY4yTB6EaT\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-YktEeui5nGnNDY4yTB6EaT slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">It seems harder than ever to predict who might lift the trophy in Oudenaarde on Sunday evening, but with all the pre-race talk and action digested, here are <em>Cyclingnews&#8217; <\/em>picks for the women&#8217;s Tour of Flanders.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-lotte-kopecky-sd-worx-protime\"><span>Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) <\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-5776d31b-3f38-4f60-8b2f-860b589efe78\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QA29koQarCiGLEMs7RhWm6-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QA29koQarCiGLEMs7RhWm6-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QA29koQarCiGLEMs7RhWm6-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QA29koQarCiGLEMs7RhWm6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QA29koQarCiGLEMs7RhWm6-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QA29koQarCiGLEMs7RhWm6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Kopecky surged to victory at Milan-San Remo <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-dc287c0a-a97d-4853-b384-1456226ab9bb\">Though the strength of the field probably doesn&#8217;t quite earn her the title of overwhelming favourite, the rider obviously at the top of this list is three-time Flanders champion Lotte Kopecky. After winning Flanders for a third time last spring, the Belgian star had a bit of a tricky rest of 2025, dealing with some injuries, and there was some pressure on her shoulders at the start of the spring. However, she fairly quickly dispelled that pressure by winning Milan-San Remo in spectacular fashion, adding another Monument to her palmar\u00e8s.<\/p>\n<p>Kopecky clearly knows how to win this race, and in several different ways, but the field she&#8217;ll face this Sunday is perhaps her fiercest challenge yet in Flanders. She&#8217;ll face Vollering as a non-teammate for the first time, plus Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot, Reusser and more, so she can expect to be pushed to the limits on the climbs. The plus will be that she&#8217;s back to focusing solely on the Classics this year, so she should be near enough her top level. If she&#8217;s as strong as she was in Milan-San Remo, she certainly won&#8217;t be easy to beat.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qixjpw9jRzhNUWhLGW5nM6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qixjpw9jRzhNUWhLGW5nM6-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;We know we are able to win&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot returns to Tour of Flanders as a firm favourite after &#8216;unexpected&#8217; success in 2025<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Sprinters vs attackers on the Kemmelberg \u2013\u00a0Analysing the contenders for In Flanders Fields<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">From top riders&#8217; real form to the teams not quite thriving \u2013 Five key questions ahead of Milan-San Remo and the next Classics<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>All signs point to Kopecky leading Flanders, but SD Worx also have the wildcard option of Lorena Wiebes, who showed monster climbing and attacking skills at In Flanders Fields. Something would probably have to go wrong for Kopecky for Wiebes to be launched into a leadership position, but that&#8217;s not unthinkable, and the Dutchwoman is certainly capable of a really good finish in her own right.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-demi-vollering-fdj-united-suez\"><span>Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-c0d1df57-c7d3-42f7-85ce-7763549dab33\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Muxpx867Wq2T29zgm4zZ6-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Muxpx867Wq2T29zgm4zZ6-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Muxpx867Wq2T29zgm4zZ6-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Muxpx867Wq2T29zgm4zZ6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Muxpx867Wq2T29zgm4zZ6-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Muxpx867Wq2T29zgm4zZ6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Vollering won the opening Classic of the season, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-12314467-70cb-45de-8c05-d7379a4d0d12\">Demi Vollering hasn&#8217;t raced Flanders for two years, nor since she joined FDJ United-Suez. The last time she was here in 2024 came just days after her SD Worx-Protime unceremoniously let slip that she would be leaving the team, sparking drama whilst Vollering was mid-race at Dwars door Vlaanderen, which understandably threw off her week. So we haven&#8217;t seen her at her very best in Flanders for some time, and it&#8217;s clearly one of the biggest races she still wants to win.<\/p>\n<p>Her preparation for this race has mainly been done at altitude, so she&#8217;s absolutely made a big goal of Sunday and will be pursuing a hard, selective race on the climbs. She was strong at Dwars door Vlaanderen, only beaten in the sprint by Marlen Reusser, which is a good sign for her general race rhythm. Don&#8217;t forget she already won Omloop Het Nieuwsblad too, so she&#8217;s on good Classics form. With the mightily strong and united FDJ team behind her, Vollering will be a force to be reckoned with on Sunday.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-pauline-ferrand-prevot-visma-lease-a-bike\"><span>Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot (Visma-Lease a Bike)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-9292e62d-b627-4f93-8f30-3c8ee0922423\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MnwPLetRSaMfYvSs2D8eXR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MnwPLetRSaMfYvSs2D8eXR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MnwPLetRSaMfYvSs2D8eXR-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MnwPLetRSaMfYvSs2D8eXR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MnwPLetRSaMfYvSs2D8eXR-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MnwPLetRSaMfYvSs2D8eXR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot has only raced once this season <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-164cea38-8767-46cc-af12-dee7af7772bd\">Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot said already at the end of last year that one of the next things she wanted to win was Flanders, and when she wants to win, she often does, so beware the Frenchwoman. We&#8217;re yet to really see where Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot is form-wise in 2026, after an injury saw her take an extended time off the bike over the winter. She came back for Strade Bianche but didn&#8217;t really figure in the key moments, though not necessarily due to a lack of form.<\/p>\n<p>Since then, she&#8217;s been at altitude training specifically for this and the Ardennes, and history points to her coming off altitude absolutely flying. She&#8217;s not a rider who needs to get much rhythm in her legs in order to win \u2013 just look at her Roubaix win, when she wasn&#8217;t even meant to start \u2013 so there&#8217;s nothing really to read into the fact she hasn&#8217;t raced much so far. Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot will want to make the race hard, and she has the form to do that, plus her second place last year proved that she absolutely can win this race. She is probably Lotte Kopecky&#8217;s biggest rival, and a huge contender to take the win \u2013 perhaps even the favourite.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-marlen-reusser-liane-lippert-movistar\"><span>Marlen Reusser &amp; Liane Lippert (Movistar)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-284fe4fc-b540-4ded-8c87-4e4d2186d55e\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5tnj7ttkxyShQLpq8xRg2h-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5tnj7ttkxyShQLpq8xRg2h-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5tnj7ttkxyShQLpq8xRg2h-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5tnj7ttkxyShQLpq8xRg2h-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5tnj7ttkxyShQLpq8xRg2h-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5tnj7ttkxyShQLpq8xRg2h-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Reusser claimed Dwars door Vlaanderen victory <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-c6db8fce-9557-4d89-9a72-de32c4c00ba7\">Forget any notion that Movistar aren&#8217;t a Classics team, they absolutely are and in fact they may be one of the strongest squads on the start line on Sunday. They can choose between Marlen Reusser and Liane Lippert as leaders, and can even play Cat Ferguson as a bit of a wildcard, too. Reusser comes into Flanders on fine form, having just won Dwars door Vlaanderen in masterful fashion, even after several weeks sidelined by an injury. Her team say she&#8217;s mainly building towards the Vuelta, but she&#8217;s clearly flying right now, and won&#8217;t hold back on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>Liane Lippert is also a fantastic second option for Movistar, and she has made Flanders and the Ardennes two of her key goals this year, so she will be raring to go on Sunday. She was also very strong on Wednesday, ultimately riding defensively in the chase group with Reusser up the road but still clearly on the level of all the top riders. She will take a lot of confidence from her third place in Flanders last year, and could stand to profit if the big names mark each other or mess around.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-elisa-longo-borghini-uae-team-adq\"><span>Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-cd653be3-6b69-4daf-9d11-cde8a97734e3\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/azvnWkS278tnHS8GgA6SRn-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/azvnWkS278tnHS8GgA6SRn-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/azvnWkS278tnHS8GgA6SRn-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/azvnWkS278tnHS8GgA6SRn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/azvnWkS278tnHS8GgA6SRn-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/azvnWkS278tnHS8GgA6SRn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Longo Borghini may not be at top form on Sunday <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-7c5b6a30-bc32-415a-bdfc-9c6c9cba10b7\">2024 winner Elisa Longo Borghini is still struggling with sickness and will probably not be at her top level on Sunday after suffering from flu earlier in the season. As a former winner, she can never be counted out, and isn&#8217;t a rider who always needs to have the perfect run-in in order to win, but from her coughing and general health on Wednesday, it seems like it will be a challenge for her to be with the very best climbers on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>The positive for the Italian, though, is that her UAE team has consistently proved themselves as one of the best strongest teams in the peloton this spring with riders like Karlijn Swinkels, Eleonora Gasparrini and Silvia Persico. They might not be ready to win this race themselves, but they&#8217;ll certainly be very good support for Longo Borghini whenever she needs it, and could absolutely still fight for the top five if she does struggle.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-kim-le-court-pienaar-ag-insurance-soudal\"><span>Kim Le Court-Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-1bc65e3d-a656-4a55-9c1a-727e4563ed8f\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UEJq8wEDWdpNGUxJA6GTzc-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UEJq8wEDWdpNGUxJA6GTzc-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UEJq8wEDWdpNGUxJA6GTzc-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UEJq8wEDWdpNGUxJA6GTzc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UEJq8wEDWdpNGUxJA6GTzc-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UEJq8wEDWdpNGUxJA6GTzc-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The Mauritian champion is chasing another Monument win <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-f16d7d7d-f573-4b48-a2a0-5d88ee858dc1\">Kim Le Court-Pienaar made history last year when she became the first African rider to win a Monument with her victory at Li\u00e8ge\u2013Bastogne\u2013Li\u00e8ge, and she&#8217;s hunting more success this spring. So far, her results have been fairly middling, caught in the wrong group at Strade Bianche and then crashing on that scary descent at Milan-San Remo, but she was fifth in Flanders last year, so she&#8217;ll definitely have an eye on this as her chance to grab a better result.<\/p>\n<p>She will be supported by a quietly really strong AG Insurance-Soudal team, with Justine Ghekiere a serious asset on the climbs, plus the strength of Letizia Borghesi, Ilse Pluimers and Shari Bossuyt. Le Court-Pienaar has proven time and time again that if there&#8217;s an elite selection, she&#8217;s probably going to be in it, and we don&#8217;t expect anything less on Sunday.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-puck-pieterse-fenix-premier-tech\"><span>Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-19a77541-12e6-4b03-84af-1688d20e40b2\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3me94KdBXV4oQtnXJGVbDj-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3me94KdBXV4oQtnXJGVbDj-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3me94KdBXV4oQtnXJGVbDj-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3me94KdBXV4oQtnXJGVbDj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3me94KdBXV4oQtnXJGVbDj-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3me94KdBXV4oQtnXJGVbDj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Puck Pieterse has become incredibly consistent in the Classics <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-5f24540e-1aa2-46e8-abf3-123a094659ea\">Puck Pieterse has firmly moved on from rising star status and into the ranks of the favourites, but she is still waiting for a big victory on the cobbles \u2013 she was the winner of La Fl\u00e8che Wallonne in 2025, of course. Five race days into 2026 and she&#8217;s yet to finish outside the top 17, with sixth at Strade Bianche and fourth at Milan-San Remo her highlights. She&#8217;s been really attacking and strong, but maybe just outpowered by stronger riders at the finish which has prevented her from recording a podium finish so far in 2026.<\/p>\n<p>She&#8217;s done Flanders twice already now, finishing ninth and sixth, so she&#8217;ll be hoping to be in the top five as a minimum this weekend. A talented climber, especially when they&#8217;re punchy, she should be able to compete with the best at the pointy end of the race but could struggle to match the endurance of riders like Vollering and Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot. She has also suffered sometimes with a lack of teammates, but will look to Flora Perkins and Millie Couzens, who have shone recently, for support.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-other-riders-to-watch\"><span>Other riders to watch<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-fac4f132-7b8d-4ea1-a7b9-dd0f19b586ce\">Lidl-Trek haven&#8217;t confirmed their line-up yet but look set to leave out star of the spring Fleur Moors, and will look to <strong>Shirin van Anrooij<\/strong> and Elisa Balsamo as their leaders. If we&#8217;re expecting a more attacking, climber-led race, Van Anrooij is probably their best bet. She finished third here in 2024.<\/p>\n<p>EF Education-Oatly&#8217;s <strong>Noemi R\u00fcegg <\/strong>is transitioning from dark horse to serious contender in the Classics, but her Flanders record is only modest \u2013 15th is her best result.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Thalita de Jong <\/strong>(Human Powered Health) is a super underrated rider who is so experienced in these races and always there, as she was yet again at Dwars door Vlaanderen. A crash forced her to miss the cobbled Classics last year but she can aim for a top 10.<\/p>\n<p>Picnic PostNL are struggling for results and leaders, and will probably rely on <strong>Pfeiffer Georgi <\/strong>to be their last rider standing on Sunday. A top 10 would become their best Classics result of the season.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled 2026 Spring Classics coverage with a Cyclingnews subscription. We&#8217;ll bring you breaking news, reports, and analysis from some of the biggest races on the calendar, including Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-YktEeui5nGnNDY4yTB6EaT\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-YktEeui5nGnNDY4yTB6EaT slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Matilda Price<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Assistant Features Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Matilda is an NCTJ-qualified journalist based in the UK who joined <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>in March 2025. Prior to that, she worked as the Racing News Editor at <em>GCN<\/em>, and extensively as a freelancer contributing to <em>Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Velo, Rouleur, Escape Collective, Red Bull <\/em>and more. She has reported on the ground at all of the biggest events on the calendar, including the men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s Tours de France, the Giro d&#8217;Italia, the Vuelta a Espana, the Spring Classics and the World Championships. She has particular experience and expertise in women&#8217;s cycling, and women&#8217;s sport in general. She is a graduate of modern languages and sports journalism.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Kopecky, Wiebes, Vollering ready to battle after last year&#8217;s upset \u2013 Analysing the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women contenders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">More than a Tour of Flanders warm-up \u2013 Analysing the contenders at Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Will Demi Vollering take a third win or can the powerful SD Worx-Protime and Visma-Lease a Bike duos stand in her way? \u2013\u00a0Analysing the favourites for Strade Bianche Women<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qixjpw9jRzhNUWhLGW5nM6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qixjpw9jRzhNUWhLGW5nM6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qixjpw9jRzhNUWhLGW5nM6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qixjpw9jRzhNUWhLGW5nM6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qixjpw9jRzhNUWhLGW5nM6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We know we are able to win&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot returns to Tour of Flanders as a firm favourite after &#8216;unexpected&#8217; success in 2025<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sprinters vs attackers on the Kemmelberg \u2013\u00a0Analysing the contenders for In Flanders Fields<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">From top riders&#8217; real form to the teams not quite thriving \u2013 Five key questions ahead of Milan-San Remo and the next Classics<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w3FiB6T4ivzDnQn4Mhc586-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w3FiB6T4ivzDnQn4Mhc586-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w3FiB6T4ivzDnQn4Mhc586-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w3FiB6T4ivzDnQn4Mhc586-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w3FiB6T4ivzDnQn4Mhc586-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Former Tour of Flanders winner Marianne Vos not racing Sunday to direct focus on family after father&#8217;s death<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vh34BooamCivwXpsDSrfAZ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vh34BooamCivwXpsDSrfAZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vh34BooamCivwXpsDSrfAZ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vh34BooamCivwXpsDSrfAZ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vh34BooamCivwXpsDSrfAZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I can give others some pressure&#8217; \u2013 Why Lorena Wiebes could be the most influential rider on the Tour of Flanders start line<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rgsBNinvxShtJQJLdgF5TN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rgsBNinvxShtJQJLdgF5TN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rgsBNinvxShtJQJLdgF5TN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rgsBNinvxShtJQJLdgF5TN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rgsBNinvxShtJQJLdgF5TN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">With no Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney, Canyon-SRAM look to Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt and Chlo\u00e9 Dygert for Tour of Flanders success<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rQUmTL7KBfwegCtHuo9pzG-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rQUmTL7KBfwegCtHuo9pzG-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rQUmTL7KBfwegCtHuo9pzG-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rQUmTL7KBfwegCtHuo9pzG-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rQUmTL7KBfwegCtHuo9pzG-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;m just at the level I want to be&#8217; \u2013 Lotte Kopecky says she &#8216;doesn&#8217;t really care&#8217; whether rivals view her as Tour of Flanders frontrunner<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FfdxoCuvaseHxxiP7F3rrW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FfdxoCuvaseHxxiP7F3rrW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FfdxoCuvaseHxxiP7F3rrW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FfdxoCuvaseHxxiP7F3rrW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FfdxoCuvaseHxxiP7F3rrW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Being a little sneaky&#8217; with smart teamwork, Kristen Faulkner starts her European season at Tour of Flanders and says EF Education-Oatly &#8216;can surprise the field&#8217;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qixjpw9jRzhNUWhLGW5nM6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qixjpw9jRzhNUWhLGW5nM6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qixjpw9jRzhNUWhLGW5nM6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qixjpw9jRzhNUWhLGW5nM6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qixjpw9jRzhNUWhLGW5nM6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We know we are able to win&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot returns to Tour of Flanders as a firm favourite after &#8216;unexpected&#8217; success in 2025<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Previews<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Van der Poel, Van Aert lead challenge against Poga\u010dar, but can debutant Evenepoel spoil the party in rare matchup? \u2013 Analysing the favourites for the men&#8217;s Tour of Flanders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">More than a Tour of Flanders warm-up \u2013 Analysing the contenders at Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A8rsyrMGbAaRxUEhoGGAWF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A8rsyrMGbAaRxUEhoGGAWF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A8rsyrMGbAaRxUEhoGGAWF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A8rsyrMGbAaRxUEhoGGAWF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A8rsyrMGbAaRxUEhoGGAWF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar has changed E3 Saxo Classic&#8217;s status but it remains the best Flanders form guide \u2013 A closer look at the contenders for Friday&#8217;s race<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sprinters vs attackers on the Kemmelberg \u2013\u00a0Analysing the contenders for In Flanders Fields<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SENYq3cAranrr2cSVGCWi4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SENYq3cAranrr2cSVGCWi4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SENYq3cAranrr2cSVGCWi4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SENYq3cAranrr2cSVGCWi4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SENYq3cAranrr2cSVGCWi4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">New name, new route, new winners? \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s Ronde Van Brugge<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tdMM9USiVzeJJ9QkhvYSBE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tdMM9USiVzeJJ9QkhvYSBE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tdMM9USiVzeJJ9QkhvYSBE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tdMM9USiVzeJJ9QkhvYSBE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tdMM9USiVzeJJ9QkhvYSBE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Crunch time in the Pyrenees for Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel and Tom Pidcock \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the 2026 Volta a Catalunya<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E5dqAv8QTj8CEBHYY4GxpA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E5dqAv8QTj8CEBHYY4GxpA-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E5dqAv8QTj8CEBHYY4GxpA-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E5dqAv8QTj8CEBHYY4GxpA-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E5dqAv8QTj8CEBHYY4GxpA.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E5dqAv8QTj8CEBHYY4GxpA.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E5dqAv8QTj8CEBHYY4GxpA.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;Not a disadvantage for me&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel welcomes addition of Remco Evenepoel to Tour of Flanders but warns against underestimating debutant<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;It shook me for a while&#8217; &#8211; Florian Vermeersch opens up about online abuse he received after helping chase down Wout van Aert at Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">With no Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney, Canyon-SRAM look to Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt and Chlo\u00e9 Dygert for Tour of Flanders success<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;I can give others some pressure&#8217; \u2013 Why Lorena Wiebes could be the most influential rider on the Tour of Flanders start line<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;I heard some rumours&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar says he wasn&#8217;t too surprised by Remco Evenepoel making shock Tour of Flanders debut<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour of Flanders Women\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Lotte Kopecky, Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot face off in what could be an epic showdown \u2013 Analysing the Tour of Flanders Women contenders<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-04-03T08:31:42Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n3 April 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Can the Queen of the Classics claim a fourth victory in Oudenaarde, or will Demi Vollering or Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot succeed in winning a first Flanders title?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" 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Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-1e92293d-9af0-4c9c-95eb-647a249e26f6\">In Flanders Fields and Dwars door Vlaanderen are done, the recons are complete, the line-ups are decided \u2013 the women&#8217;s Tour of Flanders and the start of Holy Week is very nearly here.<\/p>\n<p>Flanders is always a clash of the titans, with its historic and challenging course always attracting the sport&#8217;s best riders, but this year the starting field is almost unimaginably good. Almost every single top rider will be in attendance \u2013 Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney being perhaps the one main exception \u2013 and everyone seems primed for a big battle.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-1e92293d-9af0-4c9c-95eb-647a249e26f6-2\">Lotte Kopecky comes to her home race as the defending champion and three-time champion, an undeniable expert on how to win in Oudenaarde. But Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot have been at altitude to prepare for this race, and both have the added drive of never having won before.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4FSTjXz99mUMEpgw7K3NPK-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Kopecky, Wiebes, Vollering ready to battle after last year&#8217;s upset \u2013 Analysing the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Women contenders<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">More than a Tour of Flanders warm-up \u2013 Analysing the contenders at Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sw7mtH7HJ9r4f59UnybQsm-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Will Demi Vollering take a third win or can the powerful SD Worx-Protime and Visma-Lease a Bike duos stand in her way? \u2013\u00a0Analysing the favourites for Strade Bianche Women<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">And then there&#8217;s the star-studded cast of Movistar, who are on a winning streak, former winner Elisa Longo Borghini, prodigious talent Puck Pieterse, and numerous teammates who could be leaders and winners themselves.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Flanders always delivers, but two days out from the race, this year&#8217;s edition looks set to be one for the ages.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The women&#8217;s Flanders route has been slightly tweaked for 2026, taking out some climbing and elevation gain, but it remains characteristically challenging, taking in 164km, nine climbs and six sectors of cobbles. The finale features the iconic, punishing Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg combination, which will surely be decisive in the race, but history tells us things will open up and split apart much, much earlier.<\/p>\n<p>With a mixture of the some of the peloton&#8217;s best one-day racers and Grand Tour-winning climbers, this race is going to come down to killer efforts on the climbs, and then an all-out battle to the line \u2013 hopefully, between some very big hitters.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-YktEeui5nGnNDY4yTB6EaT\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-YktEeui5nGnNDY4yTB6EaT slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">It seems harder than ever to predict who might lift the trophy in Oudenaarde on Sunday evening, but with all the pre-race talk and action digested, here are <em>Cyclingnews&#8217; <\/em>picks for the women&#8217;s Tour of Flanders.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-lotte-kopecky-sd-worx-protime\"><span>Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) <\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-5776d31b-3f38-4f60-8b2f-860b589efe78\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QA29koQarCiGLEMs7RhWm6-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QA29koQarCiGLEMs7RhWm6-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QA29koQarCiGLEMs7RhWm6-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QA29koQarCiGLEMs7RhWm6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QA29koQarCiGLEMs7RhWm6-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QA29koQarCiGLEMs7RhWm6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Kopecky surged to victory at Milan-San Remo <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-dc287c0a-a97d-4853-b384-1456226ab9bb\">Though the strength of the field probably doesn&#8217;t quite earn her the title of overwhelming favourite, the rider obviously at the top of this list is three-time Flanders champion Lotte Kopecky. After winning Flanders for a third time last spring, the Belgian star had a bit of a tricky rest of 2025, dealing with some injuries, and there was some pressure on her shoulders at the start of the spring. However, she fairly quickly dispelled that pressure by winning Milan-San Remo in spectacular fashion, adding another Monument to her palmar\u00e8s.<\/p>\n<p>Kopecky clearly knows how to win this race, and in several different ways, but the field she&#8217;ll face this Sunday is perhaps her fiercest challenge yet in Flanders. She&#8217;ll face Vollering as a non-teammate for the first time, plus Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot, Reusser and more, so she can expect to be pushed to the limits on the climbs. The plus will be that she&#8217;s back to focusing solely on the Classics this year, so she should be near enough her top level. If she&#8217;s as strong as she was in Milan-San Remo, she certainly won&#8217;t be easy to beat.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qixjpw9jRzhNUWhLGW5nM6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qixjpw9jRzhNUWhLGW5nM6-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;We know we are able to win&#8217; \u2013 Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot returns to Tour of Flanders as a firm favourite after &#8216;unexpected&#8217; success in 2025<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Sprinters vs attackers on the Kemmelberg \u2013\u00a0Analysing the contenders for In Flanders Fields<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mjn5kXszgCzChPUPEwWpF6-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">From top riders&#8217; real form to the teams not quite thriving \u2013 Five key questions ahead of Milan-San Remo and the next Classics<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>All signs point to Kopecky leading Flanders, but SD Worx also have the wildcard option of Lorena Wiebes, who showed monster climbing and attacking skills at In Flanders Fields. Something would probably have to go wrong for Kopecky for Wiebes to be launched into a leadership position, but that&#8217;s not unthinkable, and the Dutchwoman is certainly capable of a really good finish in her own right.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-demi-vollering-fdj-united-suez\"><span>Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-c0d1df57-c7d3-42f7-85ce-7763549dab33\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Muxpx867Wq2T29zgm4zZ6-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Muxpx867Wq2T29zgm4zZ6-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Muxpx867Wq2T29zgm4zZ6-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Muxpx867Wq2T29zgm4zZ6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Muxpx867Wq2T29zgm4zZ6-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Muxpx867Wq2T29zgm4zZ6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Vollering won the opening Classic of the season, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-12314467-70cb-45de-8c05-d7379a4d0d12\">Demi Vollering hasn&#8217;t raced Flanders for two years, nor since she joined FDJ United-Suez. The last time she was here in 2024 came just days after her SD Worx-Protime unceremoniously let slip that she would be leaving the team, sparking drama whilst Vollering was mid-race at Dwars door Vlaanderen, which understandably threw off her week. So we haven&#8217;t seen her at her very best in Flanders for some time, and it&#8217;s clearly one of the biggest races she still wants to win.<\/p>\n<p>Her preparation for this race has mainly been done at altitude, so she&#8217;s absolutely made a big goal of Sunday and will be pursuing a hard, selective race on the climbs. She was strong at Dwars door Vlaanderen, only beaten in the sprint by Marlen Reusser, which is a good sign for her general race rhythm. Don&#8217;t forget she already won Omloop Het Nieuwsblad too, so she&#8217;s on good Classics form. With the mightily strong and united FDJ team behind her, Vollering will be a force to be reckoned with on Sunday.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-pauline-ferrand-prevot-visma-lease-a-bike\"><span>Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot (Visma-Lease a Bike)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-9292e62d-b627-4f93-8f30-3c8ee0922423\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MnwPLetRSaMfYvSs2D8eXR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MnwPLetRSaMfYvSs2D8eXR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MnwPLetRSaMfYvSs2D8eXR-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MnwPLetRSaMfYvSs2D8eXR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MnwPLetRSaMfYvSs2D8eXR-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MnwPLetRSaMfYvSs2D8eXR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot has only raced once this season <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-164cea38-8767-46cc-af12-dee7af7772bd\">Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot said already at the end of last year that one of the next things she wanted to win was Flanders, and when she wants to win, she often does, so beware the Frenchwoman. We&#8217;re yet to really see where Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot is form-wise in 2026, after an injury saw her take an extended time off the bike over the winter. She came back for Strade Bianche but didn&#8217;t really figure in the key moments, though not necessarily due to a lack of form.<\/p>\n<p>Since then, she&#8217;s been at altitude training specifically for this and the Ardennes, and history points to her coming off altitude absolutely flying. She&#8217;s not a rider who needs to get much rhythm in her legs in order to win \u2013 just look at her Roubaix win, when she wasn&#8217;t even meant to start \u2013 so there&#8217;s nothing really to read into the fact she hasn&#8217;t raced much so far. Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot will want to make the race hard, and she has the form to do that, plus her second place last year proved that she absolutely can win this race. She is probably Lotte Kopecky&#8217;s biggest rival, and a huge contender to take the win \u2013 perhaps even the favourite.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-marlen-reusser-liane-lippert-movistar\"><span>Marlen Reusser &amp; Liane Lippert (Movistar)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-284fe4fc-b540-4ded-8c87-4e4d2186d55e\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5tnj7ttkxyShQLpq8xRg2h-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5tnj7ttkxyShQLpq8xRg2h-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5tnj7ttkxyShQLpq8xRg2h-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5tnj7ttkxyShQLpq8xRg2h-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5tnj7ttkxyShQLpq8xRg2h-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5tnj7ttkxyShQLpq8xRg2h-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Reusser claimed Dwars door Vlaanderen victory <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-c6db8fce-9557-4d89-9a72-de32c4c00ba7\">Forget any notion that Movistar aren&#8217;t a Classics team, they absolutely are and in fact they may be one of the strongest squads on the start line on Sunday. They can choose between Marlen Reusser and Liane Lippert as leaders, and can even play Cat Ferguson as a bit of a wildcard, too. Reusser comes into Flanders on fine form, having just won Dwars door Vlaanderen in masterful fashion, even after several weeks sidelined by an injury. Her team say she&#8217;s mainly building towards the Vuelta, but she&#8217;s clearly flying right now, and won&#8217;t hold back on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>Liane Lippert is also a fantastic second option for Movistar, and she has made Flanders and the Ardennes two of her key goals this year, so she will be raring to go on Sunday. She was also very strong on Wednesday, ultimately riding defensively in the chase group with Reusser up the road but still clearly on the level of all the top riders. She will take a lot of confidence from her third place in Flanders last year, and could stand to profit if the big names mark each other or mess around.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-elisa-longo-borghini-uae-team-adq\"><span>Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-cd653be3-6b69-4daf-9d11-cde8a97734e3\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/azvnWkS278tnHS8GgA6SRn-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/azvnWkS278tnHS8GgA6SRn-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/azvnWkS278tnHS8GgA6SRn-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/azvnWkS278tnHS8GgA6SRn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/azvnWkS278tnHS8GgA6SRn-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/azvnWkS278tnHS8GgA6SRn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Longo Borghini may not be at top form on Sunday <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-7c5b6a30-bc32-415a-bdfc-9c6c9cba10b7\">2024 winner Elisa Longo Borghini is still struggling with sickness and will probably not be at her top level on Sunday after suffering from flu earlier in the season. As a former winner, she can never be counted out, and isn&#8217;t a rider who always needs to have the perfect run-in in order to win, but from her coughing and general health on Wednesday, it seems like it will be a challenge for her to be with the very best climbers on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>The positive for the Italian, though, is that her UAE team has consistently proved themselves as one of the best strongest teams in the peloton this spring with riders like Karlijn Swinkels, Eleonora Gasparrini and Silvia Persico. They might not be ready to win this race themselves, but they&#8217;ll certainly be very good support for Longo Borghini whenever she needs it, and could absolutely still fight for the top five if she does struggle.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-kim-le-court-pienaar-ag-insurance-soudal\"><span>Kim Le Court-Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-1bc65e3d-a656-4a55-9c1a-727e4563ed8f\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UEJq8wEDWdpNGUxJA6GTzc-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UEJq8wEDWdpNGUxJA6GTzc-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UEJq8wEDWdpNGUxJA6GTzc-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UEJq8wEDWdpNGUxJA6GTzc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UEJq8wEDWdpNGUxJA6GTzc-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UEJq8wEDWdpNGUxJA6GTzc-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The Mauritian champion is chasing another Monument win <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-f16d7d7d-f573-4b48-a2a0-5d88ee858dc1\">Kim Le Court-Pienaar made history last year when she became the first African rider to win a Monument with her victory at Li\u00e8ge\u2013Bastogne\u2013Li\u00e8ge, and she&#8217;s hunting more success this spring. So far, her results have been fairly middling, caught in the wrong group at Strade Bianche and then crashing on that scary descent at Milan-San Remo, but she was fifth in Flanders last year, so she&#8217;ll definitely have an eye on this as her chance to grab a better result.<\/p>\n<p>She will be supported by a quietly really strong AG Insurance-Soudal team, with Justine Ghekiere a serious asset on the climbs, plus the strength of Letizia Borghesi, Ilse Pluimers and Shari Bossuyt. Le Court-Pienaar has proven time and time again that if there&#8217;s an elite selection, she&#8217;s probably going to be in it, and we don&#8217;t expect anything less on Sunday.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-puck-pieterse-fenix-premier-tech\"><span>Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-19a77541-12e6-4b03-84af-1688d20e40b2\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3me94KdBXV4oQtnXJGVbDj-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3me94KdBXV4oQtnXJGVbDj-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3me94KdBXV4oQtnXJGVbDj-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3me94KdBXV4oQtnXJGVbDj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3me94KdBXV4oQtnXJGVbDj-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3me94KdBXV4oQtnXJGVbDj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Puck Pieterse has become incredibly consistent in the Classics <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-5f24540e-1aa2-46e8-abf3-123a094659ea\">Puck Pieterse has firmly moved on from rising star status and into the ranks of the favourites, but she is still waiting for a big victory on the cobbles \u2013 she was the winner of La Fl\u00e8che Wallonne in 2025, of course. Five race days into 2026 and she&#8217;s yet to finish outside the top 17, with sixth at Strade Bianche and fourth at Milan-San Remo her highlights. She&#8217;s been really attacking and strong, but maybe just outpowered by stronger riders at the finish which has prevented her from recording a podium finish so far in 2026.<\/p>\n<p>She&#8217;s done Flanders twice already now, finishing ninth and sixth, so she&#8217;ll be hoping to be in the top five as a minimum this weekend. A talented climber, especially when they&#8217;re punchy, she should be able to compete with the best at the pointy end of the race but could struggle to match the endurance of riders like Vollering and Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot. She has also suffered sometimes with a lack of teammates, but will look to Flora Perkins and Millie Couzens, who have shone recently, for support.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-other-riders-to-watch\"><span>Other riders to watch<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-fac4f132-7b8d-4ea1-a7b9-dd0f19b586ce\">Lidl-Trek haven&#8217;t confirmed their line-up yet but look set to leave out star of the spring Fleur Moors, and will look to <strong>Shirin van Anrooij<\/strong> and Elisa Balsamo as their leaders. If we&#8217;re expecting a more attacking, climber-led race, Van Anrooij is probably their best bet. She finished third here in 2024.<\/p>\n<p>EF Education-Oatly&#8217;s <strong>Noemi R\u00fcegg <\/strong>is transitioning from dark horse to serious contender in the Classics, but her Flanders record is only modest \u2013 15th is her best result.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Thalita de Jong <\/strong>(Human Powered Health) is a super underrated rider who is so experienced in these races and always there, as she was yet again at Dwars door Vlaanderen. A crash forced her to miss the cobbled Classics last year but she can aim for a top 10.<\/p>\n<p>Picnic PostNL are struggling for results and leaders, and will probably rely on <strong>Pfeiffer Georgi <\/strong>to be their last rider standing on Sunday. A top 10 would become their best Classics result of the season.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled 2026 Spring Classics coverage with a Cyclingnews subscription. We&#8217;ll bring you breaking news, reports, and analysis from some of the biggest races on the calendar, including Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/lotte-kopecky-versus-the-best-climbers-in-the-world-primed-for-showdown-analysing-the-tour-of-flanders-women-contenders\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-1920-80.png&#8221;] Pro Cycling Racing Women&#8217;s Cycling Road Tour of Flanders Women Lotte Kopecky, Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot face off in what could be an epic showdown \u2013 Analysing the Tour of Flanders Women contenders By Matilda Price published 3 April 2026 Can the Queen of the Classics claim a fourth victory in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-1864067","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1864067","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1864067"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1864067\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1864067"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1864067"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1864067"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}