The route for the 2017 Tour of Flanders, taking place on Sunday, will start in Antwerp and cover 259.5km.
The famous Muur van Geraardsbergen is back – after a five-year absence – with its 20% gradients which leads up to the iconic chapel.
It will feature as the eighth climb of the day at some 95km from the finish.
The total number of climbs remains 18, but there are three changes, with the Molenberg, Valkenberg, and Kaperij all disappearing to be replaced by the Ten Bosse, the Muur, and the Pottelberg.
Spectators watch riders cycle past at the Muur van Geraardsbergen during the Tour of Flanders. Photo: Tim de Waele
As was the case last year, the first climb will be the Oude Kwaremont.
The race, however, will take an unusual route to get there, given the new start in Antwerp, some 90km east of Bruges.
After the roll-out, the race heads to former start town Sint-Niklaas and then to Zogge, followed by Berlare and the city of Aalst.
After passing through Erpe-Mere, the riders will get their first taste of cobbles with the Lippenhovenstraat and Paddestraat, before the hellingen start to come thick and fast on the first loop in and among the so-called ‘Flemish Ardennes’.
After the new climb of the Pottelberg, the final nine climbs are the same as on last year’s course.
First comes the Kanarieberg, then the Kwaremont-Paterberg double, followed by the Koppenberg.
The flat cobbled sector of the Mariaborrestraat gives way to the Steenbeekdries and the Taainberg – also known as ‘Boonen-berg’ – with 10km then preceding the Kruisberg.
A further 10km of flat will lead into the second round of the Oude-Kwaremont-Paterberg combo – likely to be decisive in the outcome.
The finale for the 101st edition has been retained, with the Oude Kwaremont-Paterberg combination featuring twice – the second time as the final shake-up before the run to the line.
