{"id":1866781,"date":"2026-04-04T13:38:32","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T10:38:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1866781"},"modified":"2026-04-04T13:38:32","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T10:38:32","slug":"high-trees-catch-a-lot-of-wind-from-intense-media-scrutiny-to-social-media-abuse-the-classics-bring-out-the-pressure-of-expectation-in-belgium","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1866781","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;High trees catch a lot of wind&#8217; \u2013 From intense media scrutiny to social media abuse, the Classics bring out the pressure of expectation in Belgium"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/v2f6yDEapxtfhcsY9Wmqi5-2400-80.jpg&#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<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;High trees catch a lot of wind&#8217; \u2013 From intense media scrutiny to social media abuse, the Classics bring out the pressure of expectation in Belgium<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nFeatures<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-04-04T13:38:32Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n4 April 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Whether it&#8217;s constant tactical questioning, boos on the roadside or abusive messages online, the Classics period can be an intense time, particularly for Belgian riders<\/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\/v2f6yDEapxtfhcsY9Wmqi5-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/v2f6yDEapxtfhcsY9Wmqi5-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/v2f6yDEapxtfhcsY9Wmqi5-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/v2f6yDEapxtfhcsY9Wmqi5-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/v2f6yDEapxtfhcsY9Wmqi5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/v2f6yDEapxtfhcsY9Wmqi5-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/v2f6yDEapxtfhcsY9Wmqi5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Wout van Aert is one rider under intense scrutiny in Belgium<\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Zac Williams\/SWpix.com)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\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\">1<\/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-8dccb10f-584a-48e2-8c9f-02b061c34f54\">A middle finger to the winner. A beer thrown at a rider. A hateful comment on social media. The Belgian Classics attract some of the most impassioned fans in the world, but sometimes, that fervour bubbles over into something more hostile.<\/p>\n<p>Belgium is probably the only nation in Europe where cycling is the second most important sport behind football. Even in France, home of the Tour, cycling isn&#8217;t in the blood of every town like it is in Flanders.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8dccb10f-584a-48e2-8c9f-02b061c34f54-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">As a result, the coverage and attention on the sport is immense. There are multiple cycling reporters at the biggest newspapers with the sport always featuring on the back pages, and national TV broadcasters and radio stations are at every major race.<\/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\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-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\">The return of the greats, cycling&#8217;s newest mega talent and &#8216;grande ciclismo&#8217; \u2013 What I&#8217;m excited to see at this year&#8217;s Strade Bianche<\/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\/nV6EeTstsrSed7sBoahJ9a-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nV6EeTstsrSed7sBoahJ9a-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\">The cobbled Classics storylines we&#8217;re looking forward to \u2013 From Van der Poel and Poga\u010dar on the cusp of history to a different Demi Vollering and a resurgent Mads Pedersen<\/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\/h9EQCCBPwgP3BMRFHQcsGf-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h9EQCCBPwgP3BMRFHQcsGf-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;Support with heart, not hate&#8217; \u2013 Classics spectators urged to respect riders after string of incidents<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">On one hand, this means cyclists are huge stars in Belgium, with Wout van Aert, Lotte Kopecky and Remco Evenepoel some of the most well-known and beloved sportspeople in the country. The media wants their riders to succeed, especially in these big home Classics.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">But the breadth and depth of coverage also means that a rider&#8217;s every move is scrutinised. It&#8217;s a lot to put on an athlete, and the recent discussions and debates around the nature of Remco Evenepoel&#8217;s decision to ride the Tour of Flanders have drawn into sharp focus how big stars are treated by and interact with the media.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">On one hand, these riders are lifted up, often at a very young age, but the criticism can come equally quickly.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;High trees catch a lot of wind,&#8221; is how Belgian veteran Tom Van Asbroeck puts it to <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>. &#8220;The media have to do something, and whether it&#8217;s bad or good, it doesn&#8217;t really matter for them. Belgium has a tendency to make guys very big, very fast, and then sadly also crack them when they show little cracks in their armour.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-G4SRj8UzDnQrY9AEZVFXLF\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-G4SRj8UzDnQrY9AEZVFXLF 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\">Whether the newspapers are saying good or bad things about you, there is absolutely a feeling that the media attention equals some sort of pressure or expectation that can weigh a rider down. Most riders quickly learn to deal with it, but that doesn&#8217;t mean it&#8217;s easy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">After her success at In Flanders Fields, for example, Lidl-Trek were cautious to not pile media commitments onto Fleur Moors. It would have all been positive, celebrations of her talent and potential, but the time and attention was clearly deemed a risk to her focus and calmness.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;You have to be grown up enough to realise and relativise these things,&#8221; Van Asbroeck said. &#8220;It&#8217;s part of the job, it&#8217;s part of the cycling lifestyle in Belgium, I would say, and it&#8217;s normal. We grew up with it.&#8221;<\/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\/h46gUSG89XyXEozhPuUTX8-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h46gUSG89XyXEozhPuUTX8-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Sean Kelly&#8217;s Classics column: The alternative way to beat the big hitters, and why Lorena Wiebes is a master<\/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\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-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\">Milan-San Remo: Tadej Poga\u010dar strikes in closing metres to hold off Tom Pidcock in electrifying two-rider finish and earns masterful victory<\/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\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-150-80.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;Even for Mathieu the race is way over the limit&#8217; \u2013 Van der Poel may be king of the Classics, but here&#8217;s why he won&#8217;t race Strade Bianche in its current form<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<div id=\"slice-container-person-G4SRj8UzDnQrY9AEZVFXLF-9xFHyhAYOpfZ7GgdOEZukL2s4cXoXDbw\" class=\"slice-container person-wrapper person-G4SRj8UzDnQrY9AEZVFXLF-9xFHyhAYOpfZ7GgdOEZukL2s4cXoXDbw slice-container-person\">\n<div class=\"person person--separator person--strapline\"><span class=\"person__strapline\">Reporting from Belgium<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"person__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"person__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eMzQ9Ja3GRin8MADZHom3A-140-80.png.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eMzQ9Ja3GRin8MADZHom3A.png\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eMzQ9Ja3GRin8MADZHom3A.png\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eMzQ9Ja3GRin8MADZHom3A.png\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"person__heading\"><span class=\"person__strapline-inline\">Reporting from Belgium<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"person__name-socials\"><span class=\"person__name\">Matilda Price<\/span><\/div>\n<aside class=\"person__role\">Assistant Features Editor<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"person__bio\">\n<p><em><strong>This is a topic that really interests me every spring when I come out to Belgium, but I want to make it clear that my Belgian colleagues aren&#8217;t any more critical or harsh than other journalists. They&#8217;re thoughtful and probing, yes, but are just as respectful as any journalist from any other country \u2013 maybe there is just a bit more pressure on cycling here, given how big it is. It happens the whole year, but in this period from E3 to Paris-Roubaix, the whole topic of scrutiny, pressure and abuse always seems to come into sharp focus.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-b1abc65d-98f2-4549-8409-3dbb257a02f0\">Van Asbroeck fairly pointed out, &#8220;For me it&#8217;s quite OK, but for these other guys, the big guns, for sure it&#8217;s not that fun&#8221; \u2013 and it is true that much focus and scrutiny is on the biggest riders.<\/p>\n<p>This week in Belgium, Evenepoel has been at the centre of the home media&#8217;s attention, but Wout van Aert has long been in the crosshairs. As a Belgian Classics rider with no Tour of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix win to his name at age 31, he often receives a lot of stick when he gets beaten \u2013 which, unfortunately, has been quite often in recent years.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s not easy being Wout van Aert in Belgium,&#8221; Grischa Niermann told <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>earlier this week. &#8220;But he copes with it in a good way. That&#8217;s just how it is. He&#8217;s a big star.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He of course also likes it, but sometimes it&#8217;s also a bit too much attention. But we help him there as much as possible. And what he wants is winning bike races, and that&#8217;s what we are going for.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>As well as Van Aert himself, Visma-Lease a Bike are often on the receiving end of criticism, especially when they seemingly get it wrong, like with their three-against-one loss at Dwars door Vlaanderen in 2025.<\/p>\n<p>Niermann is always the first person to face up to the media, and will field questions for ages after a race, so he clearly doesn&#8217;t have a problem with the scrutiny. But he underscored that it isn&#8217;t really something that affects the team on anything more than a superficial level.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We always stick to our plan. For me, personally, I don&#8217;t care what the media says,&#8221; he said. &#8220;But on the other hand, of course I know that this team exists \u2013 and cycling exists \u2013 to entertain people, so it&#8217;s part of the job.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"fan-behaviour-3\">&#8216;Fan&#8217; behaviour<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-070e51ee-ff2b-47df-948e-92343a9a3365\">Outside of the media, whose job it is to \u2013 fairly \u2013 analyse and scrutinise races and performances, the more acute negativity often comes from roadside supporters, whose behaviour has sometimes crossed the line from excitement to abuse.<\/p>\n<p>This is often against the rivals of Belgian riders, but can absolutely be targeted at the home stars too, especially if they&#8217;re deemed to not be getting the results.<\/p>\n<p>The vast majority of fans are there to have a great time and support the best riders in the world, but on occasion we&#8217;ve seen things thrown at riders, booing, jeering. Just this week, the finish line photos of Dwars door Vlaanderen highlighted a spectator giving the middle finger to Filippo Ganna beating Wout van Aert.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-5e4c9c1b-c604-4217-b291-599f64fc824b\">\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\/nm9iXPGK735QgsUMwHHVgL-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nm9iXPGK735QgsUMwHHVgL-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nm9iXPGK735QgsUMwHHVgL-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nm9iXPGK735QgsUMwHHVgL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nm9iXPGK735QgsUMwHHVgL-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nm9iXPGK735QgsUMwHHVgL-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\">Look to the right to see the offending spectator <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Zac Williams\/SWpix.com)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-e69523b2-478f-4a57-9344-7c4e8adf835d\">After the race, Florian Vermeersch also spoke about receiving hateful messages on social media, berating him for contributing to the chase behind his compatriot Van Aert. This time last year, Tadej Poga\u010dar called social media &#8220;a cancer of society&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Many riders have stopped talking about these kinds of comments, and many try to protect themselves from social media abuse, but it definitely still happens.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Unfortunately, I would almost say this is the world we&#8217;re living in now,&#8221; Wout van Aert said about online abuse in his pre-Flanders press conference.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s so easy to put comments online and to say things that are really rude, because you always feel safe behind your computer screens. It should not be like that. Obviously, I also know what it&#8217;s like and would advise Florian to not open his social media too much.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;ve also seen much worse physical incidents, like the cap thrown at Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s wheel during Paris-Roubaix last year. In fact, the Dutch rider has had everything from bidons and beer to vape smoke and spit hurled in his direction, often in Belgium.<\/p>\n<p>This kind of thing is unpleasant to see, and is a byproduct of cycling&#8217;s proximity to its fans \u2013 they&#8217;re not in far-away stands, or stadiums you could be banned from \u2013 but is the cause just normal sporting tribalism?<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s sort of similar to soccer I would say,&#8221; Van Asbroeck said. &#8220;Everyone has the guys that they support and teams that they support, and automatically there will then be dislike for other teams.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Sometimes it&#8217;s sad that it has to happen, but on the other hand it&#8217;s just the passion that drives these supporters for their specific riders or specific teams or whatever. That&#8217;s just life, you cannot change it. As long as they try their best and stay behaved, we are happy. If there&#8217;s a couple of incidents like this a year, it is what it is. You cannot change anything about that or control people.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Contrary to Van Asbroeck&#8217;s point, many people in cycling are trying to do something to change this behaviour. In January, the UCI announced they would be working with Signify Group and their &#8220;artificial intelligence service Threat Matrix&#8221; which aims to find and report abusive online content targeted at cyclists. It doesn&#8217;t necessarily stop the root cause, but would help these messages not reach riders.<\/p>\n<p>As for roadside behaviour, many big races run safety and respect campaigns, and some certainly have drafted in additional security out on the roads to try to prevent issues where riders have been even physically abused.<\/p>\n<p>Thankfully in Belgium this week, those physical incidents have been few and far between. But there have been middle fingers, boos, hate messages, as well as the normal media scrutiny.<\/p>\n<p>Even if the pros see it as part of the job, or something they&#8217;ve grown a thick skin to, it&#8217;s an element that will always underline this part of the cycling season, and doesn&#8217;t look to be going away any time soon.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled <\/strong><\/em><em><strong>2026 Spring Classics<\/strong><\/em><em><strong> 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 class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-G4SRj8UzDnQrY9AEZVFXLF\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-G4SRj8UzDnQrY9AEZVFXLF 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\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-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\">The return of the greats, cycling&#8217;s newest mega talent and &#8216;grande ciclismo&#8217; \u2013 What I&#8217;m excited to see at this year&#8217;s Strade Bianche<\/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\/nV6EeTstsrSed7sBoahJ9a-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nV6EeTstsrSed7sBoahJ9a-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nV6EeTstsrSed7sBoahJ9a-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nV6EeTstsrSed7sBoahJ9a-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nV6EeTstsrSed7sBoahJ9a-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\">The cobbled Classics storylines we&#8217;re looking forward to \u2013 From Van der Poel and Poga\u010dar on the cusp of history to a different Demi Vollering and a resurgent Mads Pedersen<\/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\/h9EQCCBPwgP3BMRFHQcsGf-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h9EQCCBPwgP3BMRFHQcsGf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h9EQCCBPwgP3BMRFHQcsGf-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h9EQCCBPwgP3BMRFHQcsGf-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h9EQCCBPwgP3BMRFHQcsGf-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\">&#8216;Support with heart, not hate&#8217; \u2013 Classics spectators urged to respect riders after string of incidents<\/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\/h46gUSG89XyXEozhPuUTX8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h46gUSG89XyXEozhPuUTX8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h46gUSG89XyXEozhPuUTX8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h46gUSG89XyXEozhPuUTX8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h46gUSG89XyXEozhPuUTX8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sean Kelly&#8217;s Classics column: The alternative way to beat the big hitters, and why Lorena Wiebes is a master<\/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\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-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\">Milan-San Remo: Tadej Poga\u010dar strikes in closing metres to hold off Tom Pidcock in electrifying two-rider finish and earns masterful victory<\/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\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Even for Mathieu the race is way over the limit&#8217; \u2013 Van der Poel may be king of the Classics, but here&#8217;s why he won&#8217;t race Strade Bianche in its current form<\/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 Pro 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\/Uy5RKsgFE6Q5Q9PLMKP9C6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Uy5RKsgFE6Q5Q9PLMKP9C6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Uy5RKsgFE6Q5Q9PLMKP9C6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Uy5RKsgFE6Q5Q9PLMKP9C6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Uy5RKsgFE6Q5Q9PLMKP9C6-320-80.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\">GP Miguel Indurain: Ion Izagirre drops Quinn Simmons to claim his third edition in the last year of his pro career<\/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\/fNx3SMbuzrU26ecGZH7TPJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fNx3SMbuzrU26ecGZH7TPJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fNx3SMbuzrU26ecGZH7TPJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fNx3SMbuzrU26ecGZH7TPJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fNx3SMbuzrU26ecGZH7TPJ-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\">NXT Classic: Tibor del Grosso wins a tense two-up sprint to take a first win of the year <\/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\/HHPHX8i8rfnTbH9RPda9M5-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HHPHX8i8rfnTbH9RPda9M5-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HHPHX8i8rfnTbH9RPda9M5-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HHPHX8i8rfnTbH9RPda9M5-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HHPHX8i8rfnTbH9RPda9M5-320-80.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\">&#8216;A big change to the team&#8217; \u2013 How Franziska Koch became a vital domestique for Demi Vollering and one of the best signings of the season<\/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\/fp4qtqtFM9svCURqdLYDUj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fp4qtqtFM9svCURqdLYDUj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fp4qtqtFM9svCURqdLYDUj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fp4qtqtFM9svCURqdLYDUj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fp4qtqtFM9svCURqdLYDUj-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\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I\u2019m not going to wait for an attack&#8217; \u2013 Jasper Stuyven hopes to put Soudal-QuickStep\u2019s classics campaign back on course at the 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\/EpeEMUPeVXkyiWBiWyugWE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpeEMUPeVXkyiWBiWyugWE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpeEMUPeVXkyiWBiWyugWE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpeEMUPeVXkyiWBiWyugWE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpeEMUPeVXkyiWBiWyugWE-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\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I deliberately got rid of my social media for two weeks&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel addresses drama of surprise Tour of Flanders debut and says he wouldn&#8217;t be starting if victory wasn&#8217;t possible<\/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\/7Xru9NhP2wTF7U5QgLwzG3-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Xru9NhP2wTF7U5QgLwzG3-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Xru9NhP2wTF7U5QgLwzG3-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Xru9NhP2wTF7U5QgLwzG3-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Xru9NhP2wTF7U5QgLwzG3-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;He can attack in the most random places&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar ponders potential tactical headache of Remco Evenepoel at 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>\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 Features<\/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\/yN5KaYUdxVizZ7fQmeidq6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yN5KaYUdxVizZ7fQmeidq6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yN5KaYUdxVizZ7fQmeidq6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yN5KaYUdxVizZ7fQmeidq6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yN5KaYUdxVizZ7fQmeidq6-320-80.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\">What can Remco Evenepoel learn from Poga\u010dar, Nibali, and Valverde? 5 memorable Tour of Flanders debuts from big-name cobbles newbies<\/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\/LsHmBtnTxiYK3jFBQJLi7S-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LsHmBtnTxiYK3jFBQJLi7S-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LsHmBtnTxiYK3jFBQJLi7S-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LsHmBtnTxiYK3jFBQJLi7S-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LsHmBtnTxiYK3jFBQJLi7S-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\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We lost three experienced riders, and replaced them with really young riders&#8217; \u2013 Can Lidl-Trek&#8217;s changed Classics core do enough for Mads Pedersen at the 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\/LicjXPEYhXddW3XAUkQwgK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LicjXPEYhXddW3XAUkQwgK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LicjXPEYhXddW3XAUkQwgK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LicjXPEYhXddW3XAUkQwgK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LicjXPEYhXddW3XAUkQwgK-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\">Cycling Culture<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Quiz! Can you name all the Tour of Flanders winners since 2000?<\/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\/bHLxGrWU2fCg4Mw43wZRES-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHLxGrWU2fCg4Mw43wZRES-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHLxGrWU2fCg4Mw43wZRES-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHLxGrWU2fCg4Mw43wZRES-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHLxGrWU2fCg4Mw43wZRES-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\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Why Remco Evenepoel is right to make his Tour of Flanders debut now, and how he could challenge Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel<\/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\/Q3J95fBiX8AU8aJKCfy8gT-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3J95fBiX8AU8aJKCfy8gT-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3J95fBiX8AU8aJKCfy8gT-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3J95fBiX8AU8aJKCfy8gT-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3J95fBiX8AU8aJKCfy8gT-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\">Emerging Talents<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Instagram DMs, quiet Belgian side streets, and phone calls with parents \u2013 Inside the race to snap up cycling&#8217;s next top talents<\/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\/rcETCoJsDCpoif83S8uocA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rcETCoJsDCpoif83S8uocA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rcETCoJsDCpoif83S8uocA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rcETCoJsDCpoif83S8uocA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rcETCoJsDCpoif83S8uocA-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\">A clinical Jonas Vingegaard and a long list of riders MIA \u2013 Philippa York analyses the 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\/UMyFh97unPqxQfqWZ7fKSo-320-80.png.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UMyFh97unPqxQfqWZ7fKSo-640-80.png.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UMyFh97unPqxQfqWZ7fKSo-720-80.png.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UMyFh97unPqxQfqWZ7fKSo-1280-80.png.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UMyFh97unPqxQfqWZ7fKSo.png\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UMyFh97unPqxQfqWZ7fKSo.png\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UMyFh97unPqxQfqWZ7fKSo.png\" 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\">How to watch Tour of Flanders 2026 \u2013 Live streams, TV channels for Ronde van 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 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\u2013 How Franziska Koch became a vital domestique for Demi Vollering and one of the best signings of the season<\/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;High trees catch a lot of wind&#8217; \u2013 From intense media scrutiny to social media abuse, the Classics bring out the pressure of expectation in Belgium<\/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<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;High trees catch a lot of wind&#8217; \u2013 From intense media scrutiny to social media abuse, the Classics bring out the pressure of expectation in Belgium<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nFeatures<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-04-04T13:38:32Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n4 April 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Whether it&#8217;s constant tactical questioning, boos on the roadside or abusive messages online, the Classics period can be an intense time, particularly for Belgian riders<\/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\/v2f6yDEapxtfhcsY9Wmqi5-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/v2f6yDEapxtfhcsY9Wmqi5-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/v2f6yDEapxtfhcsY9Wmqi5-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/v2f6yDEapxtfhcsY9Wmqi5-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/v2f6yDEapxtfhcsY9Wmqi5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/v2f6yDEapxtfhcsY9Wmqi5-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/v2f6yDEapxtfhcsY9Wmqi5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Wout van Aert is one rider under intense scrutiny in Belgium<\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Zac Williams\/SWpix.com)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\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\">1<\/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-8dccb10f-584a-48e2-8c9f-02b061c34f54\">A middle finger to the winner. A beer thrown at a rider. A hateful comment on social media. The Belgian Classics attract some of the most impassioned fans in the world, but sometimes, that fervour bubbles over into something more hostile.<\/p>\n<p>Belgium is probably the only nation in Europe where cycling is the second most important sport behind football. Even in France, home of the Tour, cycling isn&#8217;t in the blood of every town like it is in Flanders.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8dccb10f-584a-48e2-8c9f-02b061c34f54-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">As a result, the coverage and attention on the sport is immense. There are multiple cycling reporters at the biggest newspapers with the sport always featuring on the back pages, and national TV broadcasters and radio stations are at every major race.<\/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\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-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\">The return of the greats, cycling&#8217;s newest mega talent and &#8216;grande ciclismo&#8217; \u2013 What I&#8217;m excited to see at this year&#8217;s Strade Bianche<\/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\/nV6EeTstsrSed7sBoahJ9a-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nV6EeTstsrSed7sBoahJ9a-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\">The cobbled Classics storylines we&#8217;re looking forward to \u2013 From Van der Poel and Poga\u010dar on the cusp of history to a different Demi Vollering and a resurgent Mads Pedersen<\/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\/h9EQCCBPwgP3BMRFHQcsGf-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h9EQCCBPwgP3BMRFHQcsGf-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;Support with heart, not hate&#8217; \u2013 Classics spectators urged to respect riders after string of incidents<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">On one hand, this means cyclists are huge stars in Belgium, with Wout van Aert, Lotte Kopecky and Remco Evenepoel some of the most well-known and beloved sportspeople in the country. The media wants their riders to succeed, especially in these big home Classics.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">But the breadth and depth of coverage also means that a rider&#8217;s every move is scrutinised. It&#8217;s a lot to put on an athlete, and the recent discussions and debates around the nature of Remco Evenepoel&#8217;s decision to ride the Tour of Flanders have drawn into sharp focus how big stars are treated by and interact with the media.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">On one hand, these riders are lifted up, often at a very young age, but the criticism can come equally quickly.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;High trees catch a lot of wind,&#8221; is how Belgian veteran Tom Van Asbroeck puts it to <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>. &#8220;The media have to do something, and whether it&#8217;s bad or good, it doesn&#8217;t really matter for them. Belgium has a tendency to make guys very big, very fast, and then sadly also crack them when they show little cracks in their armour.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-G4SRj8UzDnQrY9AEZVFXLF\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-G4SRj8UzDnQrY9AEZVFXLF 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\">Whether the newspapers are saying good or bad things about you, there is absolutely a feeling that the media attention equals some sort of pressure or expectation that can weigh a rider down. Most riders quickly learn to deal with it, but that doesn&#8217;t mean it&#8217;s easy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">After her success at In Flanders Fields, for example, Lidl-Trek were cautious to not pile media commitments onto Fleur Moors. It would have all been positive, celebrations of her talent and potential, but the time and attention was clearly deemed a risk to her focus and calmness.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;You have to be grown up enough to realise and relativise these things,&#8221; Van Asbroeck said. &#8220;It&#8217;s part of the job, it&#8217;s part of the cycling lifestyle in Belgium, I would say, and it&#8217;s normal. We grew up with it.&#8221;<\/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\/h46gUSG89XyXEozhPuUTX8-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h46gUSG89XyXEozhPuUTX8-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Sean Kelly&#8217;s Classics column: The alternative way to beat the big hitters, and why Lorena Wiebes is a master<\/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\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-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\">Milan-San Remo: Tadej Poga\u010dar strikes in closing metres to hold off Tom Pidcock in electrifying two-rider finish and earns masterful victory<\/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\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-150-80.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;Even for Mathieu the race is way over the limit&#8217; \u2013 Van der Poel may be king of the Classics, but here&#8217;s why he won&#8217;t race Strade Bianche in its current form<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<div id=\"slice-container-person-G4SRj8UzDnQrY9AEZVFXLF-9xFHyhAYOpfZ7GgdOEZukL2s4cXoXDbw\" class=\"slice-container person-wrapper person-G4SRj8UzDnQrY9AEZVFXLF-9xFHyhAYOpfZ7GgdOEZukL2s4cXoXDbw slice-container-person\">\n<div class=\"person person--separator person--strapline\"><span class=\"person__strapline\">Reporting from Belgium<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"person__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"person__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eMzQ9Ja3GRin8MADZHom3A-140-80.png.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eMzQ9Ja3GRin8MADZHom3A.png\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eMzQ9Ja3GRin8MADZHom3A.png\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eMzQ9Ja3GRin8MADZHom3A.png\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"person__heading\"><span class=\"person__strapline-inline\">Reporting from Belgium<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"person__name-socials\"><span class=\"person__name\">Matilda Price<\/span><\/div>\n<aside class=\"person__role\">Assistant Features Editor<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"person__bio\">\n<p><em><strong>This is a topic that really interests me every spring when I come out to Belgium, but I want to make it clear that my Belgian colleagues aren&#8217;t any more critical or harsh than other journalists. They&#8217;re thoughtful and probing, yes, but are just as respectful as any journalist from any other country \u2013 maybe there is just a bit more pressure on cycling here, given how big it is. It happens the whole year, but in this period from E3 to Paris-Roubaix, the whole topic of scrutiny, pressure and abuse always seems to come into sharp focus.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-b1abc65d-98f2-4549-8409-3dbb257a02f0\">Van Asbroeck fairly pointed out, &#8220;For me it&#8217;s quite OK, but for these other guys, the big guns, for sure it&#8217;s not that fun&#8221; \u2013 and it is true that much focus and scrutiny is on the biggest riders.<\/p>\n<p>This week in Belgium, Evenepoel has been at the centre of the home media&#8217;s attention, but Wout van Aert has long been in the crosshairs. As a Belgian Classics rider with no Tour of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix win to his name at age 31, he often receives a lot of stick when he gets beaten \u2013 which, unfortunately, has been quite often in recent years.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s not easy being Wout van Aert in Belgium,&#8221; Grischa Niermann told <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>earlier this week. &#8220;But he copes with it in a good way. That&#8217;s just how it is. He&#8217;s a big star.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He of course also likes it, but sometimes it&#8217;s also a bit too much attention. But we help him there as much as possible. And what he wants is winning bike races, and that&#8217;s what we are going for.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>As well as Van Aert himself, Visma-Lease a Bike are often on the receiving end of criticism, especially when they seemingly get it wrong, like with their three-against-one loss at Dwars door Vlaanderen in 2025.<\/p>\n<p>Niermann is always the first person to face up to the media, and will field questions for ages after a race, so he clearly doesn&#8217;t have a problem with the scrutiny. But he underscored that it isn&#8217;t really something that affects the team on anything more than a superficial level.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We always stick to our plan. For me, personally, I don&#8217;t care what the media says,&#8221; he said. &#8220;But on the other hand, of course I know that this team exists \u2013 and cycling exists \u2013 to entertain people, so it&#8217;s part of the job.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"fan-behaviour-3\">&#8216;Fan&#8217; behaviour<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-070e51ee-ff2b-47df-948e-92343a9a3365\">Outside of the media, whose job it is to \u2013 fairly \u2013 analyse and scrutinise races and performances, the more acute negativity often comes from roadside supporters, whose behaviour has sometimes crossed the line from excitement to abuse.<\/p>\n<p>This is often against the rivals of Belgian riders, but can absolutely be targeted at the home stars too, especially if they&#8217;re deemed to not be getting the results.<\/p>\n<p>The vast majority of fans are there to have a great time and support the best riders in the world, but on occasion we&#8217;ve seen things thrown at riders, booing, jeering. Just this week, the finish line photos of Dwars door Vlaanderen highlighted a spectator giving the middle finger to Filippo Ganna beating Wout van Aert.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-5e4c9c1b-c604-4217-b291-599f64fc824b\">\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\/nm9iXPGK735QgsUMwHHVgL-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nm9iXPGK735QgsUMwHHVgL-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nm9iXPGK735QgsUMwHHVgL-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nm9iXPGK735QgsUMwHHVgL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nm9iXPGK735QgsUMwHHVgL-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nm9iXPGK735QgsUMwHHVgL-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\">Look to the right to see the offending spectator <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Zac Williams\/SWpix.com)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-e69523b2-478f-4a57-9344-7c4e8adf835d\">After the race, Florian Vermeersch also spoke about receiving hateful messages on social media, berating him for contributing to the chase behind his compatriot Van Aert. This time last year, Tadej Poga\u010dar called social media &#8220;a cancer of society&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Many riders have stopped talking about these kinds of comments, and many try to protect themselves from social media abuse, but it definitely still happens.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Unfortunately, I would almost say this is the world we&#8217;re living in now,&#8221; Wout van Aert said about online abuse in his pre-Flanders press conference.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s so easy to put comments online and to say things that are really rude, because you always feel safe behind your computer screens. It should not be like that. Obviously, I also know what it&#8217;s like and would advise Florian to not open his social media too much.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;ve also seen much worse physical incidents, like the cap thrown at Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s wheel during Paris-Roubaix last year. In fact, the Dutch rider has had everything from bidons and beer to vape smoke and spit hurled in his direction, often in Belgium.<\/p>\n<p>This kind of thing is unpleasant to see, and is a byproduct of cycling&#8217;s proximity to its fans \u2013 they&#8217;re not in far-away stands, or stadiums you could be banned from \u2013 but is the cause just normal sporting tribalism?<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s sort of similar to soccer I would say,&#8221; Van Asbroeck said. &#8220;Everyone has the guys that they support and teams that they support, and automatically there will then be dislike for other teams.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Sometimes it&#8217;s sad that it has to happen, but on the other hand it&#8217;s just the passion that drives these supporters for their specific riders or specific teams or whatever. That&#8217;s just life, you cannot change it. As long as they try their best and stay behaved, we are happy. If there&#8217;s a couple of incidents like this a year, it is what it is. You cannot change anything about that or control people.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Contrary to Van Asbroeck&#8217;s point, many people in cycling are trying to do something to change this behaviour. In January, the UCI announced they would be working with Signify Group and their &#8220;artificial intelligence service Threat Matrix&#8221; which aims to find and report abusive online content targeted at cyclists. It doesn&#8217;t necessarily stop the root cause, but would help these messages not reach riders.<\/p>\n<p>As for roadside behaviour, many big races run safety and respect campaigns, and some certainly have drafted in additional security out on the roads to try to prevent issues where riders have been even physically abused.<\/p>\n<p>Thankfully in Belgium this week, those physical incidents have been few and far between. But there have been middle fingers, boos, hate messages, as well as the normal media scrutiny.<\/p>\n<p>Even if the pros see it as part of the job, or something they&#8217;ve grown a thick skin to, it&#8217;s an element that will always underline this part of the cycling season, and doesn&#8217;t look to be going away any time soon.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled <\/strong><\/em><em><strong>2026 Spring Classics<\/strong><\/em><em><strong> 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 class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-G4SRj8UzDnQrY9AEZVFXLF\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-G4SRj8UzDnQrY9AEZVFXLF 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\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-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\">The return of the greats, cycling&#8217;s newest mega talent and &#8216;grande ciclismo&#8217; \u2013 What I&#8217;m excited to see at this year&#8217;s Strade Bianche<\/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\/nV6EeTstsrSed7sBoahJ9a-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nV6EeTstsrSed7sBoahJ9a-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nV6EeTstsrSed7sBoahJ9a-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nV6EeTstsrSed7sBoahJ9a-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nV6EeTstsrSed7sBoahJ9a-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\">The cobbled Classics storylines we&#8217;re looking forward to \u2013 From Van der Poel and Poga\u010dar on the cusp of history to a different Demi Vollering and a resurgent Mads Pedersen<\/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\/h9EQCCBPwgP3BMRFHQcsGf-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h9EQCCBPwgP3BMRFHQcsGf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h9EQCCBPwgP3BMRFHQcsGf-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h9EQCCBPwgP3BMRFHQcsGf-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h9EQCCBPwgP3BMRFHQcsGf-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\">&#8216;Support with heart, not hate&#8217; \u2013 Classics spectators urged to respect riders after string of incidents<\/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\/h46gUSG89XyXEozhPuUTX8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h46gUSG89XyXEozhPuUTX8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h46gUSG89XyXEozhPuUTX8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h46gUSG89XyXEozhPuUTX8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h46gUSG89XyXEozhPuUTX8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sean Kelly&#8217;s Classics column: The alternative way to beat the big hitters, and why Lorena Wiebes is a master<\/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\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-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\">Milan-San Remo: Tadej Poga\u010dar strikes in closing metres to hold off Tom Pidcock in electrifying two-rider finish and earns masterful victory<\/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\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Even for Mathieu the race is way over the limit&#8217; \u2013 Van der Poel may be king of the Classics, but here&#8217;s why he won&#8217;t race Strade Bianche in its current form<\/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 Pro 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\/Uy5RKsgFE6Q5Q9PLMKP9C6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Uy5RKsgFE6Q5Q9PLMKP9C6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Uy5RKsgFE6Q5Q9PLMKP9C6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Uy5RKsgFE6Q5Q9PLMKP9C6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Uy5RKsgFE6Q5Q9PLMKP9C6-320-80.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\">GP Miguel Indurain: Ion Izagirre drops Quinn Simmons to claim his third edition in the last year of his pro career<\/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\/fNx3SMbuzrU26ecGZH7TPJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fNx3SMbuzrU26ecGZH7TPJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fNx3SMbuzrU26ecGZH7TPJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fNx3SMbuzrU26ecGZH7TPJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fNx3SMbuzrU26ecGZH7TPJ-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\">NXT Classic: Tibor del Grosso wins a tense two-up sprint to take a first win of the year <\/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\/HHPHX8i8rfnTbH9RPda9M5-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HHPHX8i8rfnTbH9RPda9M5-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HHPHX8i8rfnTbH9RPda9M5-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HHPHX8i8rfnTbH9RPda9M5-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HHPHX8i8rfnTbH9RPda9M5-320-80.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\">&#8216;A big change to the team&#8217; \u2013 How Franziska Koch became a vital domestique for Demi Vollering and one of the best signings of the season<\/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\/fp4qtqtFM9svCURqdLYDUj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fp4qtqtFM9svCURqdLYDUj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fp4qtqtFM9svCURqdLYDUj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fp4qtqtFM9svCURqdLYDUj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fp4qtqtFM9svCURqdLYDUj-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\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I\u2019m not going to wait for an attack&#8217; \u2013 Jasper Stuyven hopes to put Soudal-QuickStep\u2019s classics campaign back on course at the 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\/EpeEMUPeVXkyiWBiWyugWE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpeEMUPeVXkyiWBiWyugWE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpeEMUPeVXkyiWBiWyugWE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpeEMUPeVXkyiWBiWyugWE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpeEMUPeVXkyiWBiWyugWE-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\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I deliberately got rid of my social media for two weeks&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel addresses drama of surprise Tour of Flanders debut and says he wouldn&#8217;t be starting if victory wasn&#8217;t possible<\/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\/7Xru9NhP2wTF7U5QgLwzG3-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Xru9NhP2wTF7U5QgLwzG3-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Xru9NhP2wTF7U5QgLwzG3-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Xru9NhP2wTF7U5QgLwzG3-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Xru9NhP2wTF7U5QgLwzG3-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;He can attack in the most random places&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar ponders potential tactical headache of Remco Evenepoel at 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>\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 Features<\/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\/yN5KaYUdxVizZ7fQmeidq6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yN5KaYUdxVizZ7fQmeidq6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yN5KaYUdxVizZ7fQmeidq6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yN5KaYUdxVizZ7fQmeidq6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yN5KaYUdxVizZ7fQmeidq6-320-80.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\">What can Remco Evenepoel learn from Poga\u010dar, Nibali, and Valverde? 5 memorable Tour of Flanders debuts from big-name cobbles newbies<\/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\/LsHmBtnTxiYK3jFBQJLi7S-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LsHmBtnTxiYK3jFBQJLi7S-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LsHmBtnTxiYK3jFBQJLi7S-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LsHmBtnTxiYK3jFBQJLi7S-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LsHmBtnTxiYK3jFBQJLi7S-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\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We lost three experienced riders, and replaced them with really young riders&#8217; \u2013 Can Lidl-Trek&#8217;s changed Classics core do enough for Mads Pedersen at the 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\/LicjXPEYhXddW3XAUkQwgK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LicjXPEYhXddW3XAUkQwgK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LicjXPEYhXddW3XAUkQwgK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LicjXPEYhXddW3XAUkQwgK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LicjXPEYhXddW3XAUkQwgK-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\">Cycling Culture<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Quiz! Can you name all the Tour of Flanders winners since 2000?<\/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\/bHLxGrWU2fCg4Mw43wZRES-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHLxGrWU2fCg4Mw43wZRES-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHLxGrWU2fCg4Mw43wZRES-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHLxGrWU2fCg4Mw43wZRES-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHLxGrWU2fCg4Mw43wZRES-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\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Why Remco Evenepoel is right to make his Tour of Flanders debut now, and how he could challenge Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel<\/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\/Q3J95fBiX8AU8aJKCfy8gT-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3J95fBiX8AU8aJKCfy8gT-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3J95fBiX8AU8aJKCfy8gT-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3J95fBiX8AU8aJKCfy8gT-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q3J95fBiX8AU8aJKCfy8gT-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\">Emerging Talents<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Instagram DMs, quiet Belgian side streets, and phone calls with parents \u2013 Inside the race to snap up cycling&#8217;s next top talents<\/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\/rcETCoJsDCpoif83S8uocA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rcETCoJsDCpoif83S8uocA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rcETCoJsDCpoif83S8uocA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rcETCoJsDCpoif83S8uocA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rcETCoJsDCpoif83S8uocA-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\">A clinical Jonas Vingegaard and a long list of riders MIA \u2013 Philippa York analyses the 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\/UMyFh97unPqxQfqWZ7fKSo-320-80.png.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UMyFh97unPqxQfqWZ7fKSo-640-80.png.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UMyFh97unPqxQfqWZ7fKSo-720-80.png.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UMyFh97unPqxQfqWZ7fKSo-1280-80.png.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UMyFh97unPqxQfqWZ7fKSo.png\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UMyFh97unPqxQfqWZ7fKSo.png\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UMyFh97unPqxQfqWZ7fKSo.png\" 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\">How to watch Tour of Flanders 2026 \u2013 Live streams, TV channels for Ronde van 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 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the pressure of expectation in Belgium<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nFeatures<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-04-04T13:38:32Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n4 April 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Whether it&#8217;s constant tactical questioning, boos on the roadside or abusive messages online, the Classics period can be an intense time, particularly for Belgian riders<\/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 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A beer thrown at a rider. A hateful comment on social media. The Belgian Classics attract some of the most impassioned fans in the world, but sometimes, that fervour bubbles over into something more hostile.<\/p>\n<p>Belgium is probably the only nation in Europe where cycling is the second most important sport behind football. Even in France, home of the Tour, cycling isn&#8217;t in the blood of every town like it is in Flanders.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8dccb10f-584a-48e2-8c9f-02b061c34f54-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">As a result, the coverage and attention on the sport is immense. There are multiple cycling reporters at the biggest newspapers with the sport always featuring on the back pages, and national TV broadcasters and radio stations are at every major race.<\/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\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uVay2h9sfPE9H9LsHgUEQP-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\">The return of the greats, cycling&#8217;s newest mega talent and &#8216;grande ciclismo&#8217; \u2013 What I&#8217;m excited to see at this year&#8217;s Strade Bianche<\/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\/nV6EeTstsrSed7sBoahJ9a-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nV6EeTstsrSed7sBoahJ9a-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\">The cobbled Classics storylines we&#8217;re looking forward to \u2013 From Van der Poel and Poga\u010dar on the cusp of history to a different Demi Vollering and a resurgent Mads Pedersen<\/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\/h9EQCCBPwgP3BMRFHQcsGf-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h9EQCCBPwgP3BMRFHQcsGf-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;Support with heart, not hate&#8217; \u2013 Classics spectators urged to respect riders after string of incidents<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">On one hand, this means cyclists are huge stars in Belgium, with Wout van Aert, Lotte Kopecky and Remco Evenepoel some of the most well-known and beloved sportspeople in the country. The media wants their riders to succeed, especially in these big home Classics.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">But the breadth and depth of coverage also means that a rider&#8217;s every move is scrutinised. It&#8217;s a lot to put on an athlete, and the recent discussions and debates around the nature of Remco Evenepoel&#8217;s decision to ride the Tour of Flanders have drawn into sharp focus how big stars are treated by and interact with the media.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">On one hand, these riders are lifted up, often at a very young age, but the criticism can come equally quickly.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;High trees catch a lot of wind,&#8221; is how Belgian veteran Tom Van Asbroeck puts it to <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>. &#8220;The media have to do something, and whether it&#8217;s bad or good, it doesn&#8217;t really matter for them. Belgium has a tendency to make guys very big, very fast, and then sadly also crack them when they show little cracks in their armour.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-G4SRj8UzDnQrY9AEZVFXLF\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-G4SRj8UzDnQrY9AEZVFXLF 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\">Whether the newspapers are saying good or bad things about you, there is absolutely a feeling that the media attention equals some sort of pressure or expectation that can weigh a rider down. Most riders quickly learn to deal with it, but that doesn&#8217;t mean it&#8217;s easy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">After her success at In Flanders Fields, for example, Lidl-Trek were cautious to not pile media commitments onto Fleur Moors. It would have all been positive, celebrations of her talent and potential, but the time and attention was clearly deemed a risk to her focus and calmness.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;You have to be grown up enough to realise and relativise these things,&#8221; Van Asbroeck said. &#8220;It&#8217;s part of the job, it&#8217;s part of the cycling lifestyle in Belgium, I would say, and it&#8217;s normal. We grew up with it.&#8221;<\/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\/h46gUSG89XyXEozhPuUTX8-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/h46gUSG89XyXEozhPuUTX8-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Sean Kelly&#8217;s Classics column: The alternative way to beat the big hitters, and why Lorena Wiebes is a master<\/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\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nhL5w9TTdpSK5vfCUQkdLh-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\">Milan-San Remo: Tadej Poga\u010dar strikes in closing metres to hold off Tom Pidcock in electrifying two-rider finish and earns masterful victory<\/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\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hzM6c5GgJrbmmxurxK6Rk3-150-80.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;Even for Mathieu the race is way over the limit&#8217; \u2013 Van der Poel may be king of the Classics, but here&#8217;s why he won&#8217;t race Strade Bianche in its current form<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<div id=\"slice-container-person-G4SRj8UzDnQrY9AEZVFXLF-9xFHyhAYOpfZ7GgdOEZukL2s4cXoXDbw\" class=\"slice-container person-wrapper person-G4SRj8UzDnQrY9AEZVFXLF-9xFHyhAYOpfZ7GgdOEZukL2s4cXoXDbw slice-container-person\">\n<div class=\"person person--separator person--strapline\"><span class=\"person__strapline\">Reporting from Belgium<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"person__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"person__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eMzQ9Ja3GRin8MADZHom3A-140-80.png.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eMzQ9Ja3GRin8MADZHom3A.png\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eMzQ9Ja3GRin8MADZHom3A.png\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eMzQ9Ja3GRin8MADZHom3A.png\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"person__heading\"><span class=\"person__strapline-inline\">Reporting from Belgium<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"person__name-socials\"><span class=\"person__name\">Matilda Price<\/span><\/div>\n<aside class=\"person__role\">Assistant Features Editor<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"person__bio\">\n<p><em><strong>This is a topic that really interests me every spring when I come out to Belgium, but I want to make it clear that my Belgian colleagues aren&#8217;t any more critical or harsh than other journalists. They&#8217;re thoughtful and probing, yes, but are just as respectful as any journalist from any other country \u2013 maybe there is just a bit more pressure on cycling here, given how big it is. It happens the whole year, but in this period from E3 to Paris-Roubaix, the whole topic of scrutiny, pressure and abuse always seems to come into sharp focus.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-b1abc65d-98f2-4549-8409-3dbb257a02f0\">Van Asbroeck fairly pointed out, &#8220;For me it&#8217;s quite OK, but for these other guys, the big guns, for sure it&#8217;s not that fun&#8221; \u2013 and it is true that much focus and scrutiny is on the biggest riders.<\/p>\n<p>This week in Belgium, Evenepoel has been at the centre of the home media&#8217;s attention, but Wout van Aert has long been in the crosshairs. As a Belgian Classics rider with no Tour of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix win to his name at age 31, he often receives a lot of stick when he gets beaten \u2013 which, unfortunately, has been quite often in recent years.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s not easy being Wout van Aert in Belgium,&#8221; Grischa Niermann told <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>earlier this week. &#8220;But he copes with it in a good way. That&#8217;s just how it is. He&#8217;s a big star.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He of course also likes it, but sometimes it&#8217;s also a bit too much attention. But we help him there as much as possible. And what he wants is winning bike races, and that&#8217;s what we are going for.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>As well as Van Aert himself, Visma-Lease a Bike are often on the receiving end of criticism, especially when they seemingly get it wrong, like with their three-against-one loss at Dwars door Vlaanderen in 2025.<\/p>\n<p>Niermann is always the first person to face up to the media, and will field questions for ages after a race, so he clearly doesn&#8217;t have a problem with the scrutiny. But he underscored that it isn&#8217;t really something that affects the team on anything more than a superficial level.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We always stick to our plan. For me, personally, I don&#8217;t care what the media says,&#8221; he said. &#8220;But on the other hand, of course I know that this team exists \u2013 and cycling exists \u2013 to entertain people, so it&#8217;s part of the job.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"fan-behaviour-3\">&#8216;Fan&#8217; behaviour<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-070e51ee-ff2b-47df-948e-92343a9a3365\">Outside of the media, whose job it is to \u2013 fairly \u2013 analyse and scrutinise races and performances, the more acute negativity often comes from roadside supporters, whose behaviour has sometimes crossed the line from excitement to abuse.<\/p>\n<p>This is often against the rivals of Belgian riders, but can absolutely be targeted at the home stars too, especially if they&#8217;re deemed to not be getting the results.<\/p>\n<p>The vast majority of fans are there to have a great time and support the best riders in the world, but on occasion we&#8217;ve seen things thrown at riders, booing, jeering. Just this week, the finish line photos of Dwars door Vlaanderen highlighted a spectator giving the middle finger to Filippo Ganna beating Wout van Aert.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-5e4c9c1b-c604-4217-b291-599f64fc824b\">\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\/nm9iXPGK735QgsUMwHHVgL-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nm9iXPGK735QgsUMwHHVgL-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nm9iXPGK735QgsUMwHHVgL-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nm9iXPGK735QgsUMwHHVgL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nm9iXPGK735QgsUMwHHVgL-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nm9iXPGK735QgsUMwHHVgL-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\">Look to the right to see the offending spectator <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Zac Williams\/SWpix.com)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-e69523b2-478f-4a57-9344-7c4e8adf835d\">After the race, Florian Vermeersch also spoke about receiving hateful messages on social media, berating him for contributing to the chase behind his compatriot Van Aert. This time last year, Tadej Poga\u010dar called social media &#8220;a cancer of society&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Many riders have stopped talking about these kinds of comments, and many try to protect themselves from social media abuse, but it definitely still happens.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Unfortunately, I would almost say this is the world we&#8217;re living in now,&#8221; Wout van Aert said about online abuse in his pre-Flanders press conference.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s so easy to put comments online and to say things that are really rude, because you always feel safe behind your computer screens. It should not be like that. Obviously, I also know what it&#8217;s like and would advise Florian to not open his social media too much.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;ve also seen much worse physical incidents, like the cap thrown at Mathieu van der Poel&#8217;s wheel during Paris-Roubaix last year. In fact, the Dutch rider has had everything from bidons and beer to vape smoke and spit hurled in his direction, often in Belgium.<\/p>\n<p>This kind of thing is unpleasant to see, and is a byproduct of cycling&#8217;s proximity to its fans \u2013 they&#8217;re not in far-away stands, or stadiums you could be banned from \u2013 but is the cause just normal sporting tribalism?<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s sort of similar to soccer I would say,&#8221; Van Asbroeck said. &#8220;Everyone has the guys that they support and teams that they support, and automatically there will then be dislike for other teams.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Sometimes it&#8217;s sad that it has to happen, but on the other hand it&#8217;s just the passion that drives these supporters for their specific riders or specific teams or whatever. That&#8217;s just life, you cannot change it. As long as they try their best and stay behaved, we are happy. If there&#8217;s a couple of incidents like this a year, it is what it is. You cannot change anything about that or control people.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Contrary to Van Asbroeck&#8217;s point, many people in cycling are trying to do something to change this behaviour. In January, the UCI announced they would be working with Signify Group and their &#8220;artificial intelligence service Threat Matrix&#8221; which aims to find and report abusive online content targeted at cyclists. It doesn&#8217;t necessarily stop the root cause, but would help these messages not reach riders.<\/p>\n<p>As for roadside behaviour, many big races run safety and respect campaigns, and some certainly have drafted in additional security out on the roads to try to prevent issues where riders have been even physically abused.<\/p>\n<p>Thankfully in Belgium this week, those physical incidents have been few and far between. But there have been middle fingers, boos, hate messages, as well as the normal media scrutiny.<\/p>\n<p>Even if the pros see it as part of the job, or something they&#8217;ve grown a thick skin to, it&#8217;s an element that will always underline this part of the cycling season, and doesn&#8217;t look to be going away any time soon.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Get unlimited access to our unrivalled <\/strong><\/em><em><strong>2026 Spring Classics<\/strong><\/em><em><strong> 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\/high-trees-catch-a-lot-of-wind-from-intense-media-scrutiny-to-social-media-abuse-the-classics-bring-out-the-pressure-of-expectation-in-belgium\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/v2f6yDEapxtfhcsY9Wmqi5-2400-80.jpg&#8221;] Pro Cycling &#8216;High trees catch a lot of wind&#8217; \u2013 From intense media scrutiny to social media abuse, the Classics bring out the pressure of expectation in Belgium Features By Matilda Price published 4 April 2026 Whether it&#8217;s constant tactical questioning, boos on the roadside or abusive messages online, the Classics period [&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-1866781","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\/1866781","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=1866781"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1866781\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1866781"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1866781"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1866781"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}