Tour of Flanders facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Tour of Flanders (Elite Men)

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Race details
Date	Early April
Region	Flanders, Belgium
Local name(s)	Ronde van Vlaanderen  (Dutch)
Nickname(s)	De Ronde Vlaanderens Mooiste Flanders' Most Beautiful
Discipline	Road
Competition	UCI World Tour
Type	One-day Classic
Organiser	Flanders Classics
Race director	Wim Van Herreweghe
History
First edition	1913 (1913)
Editions	108 (as of 2024)
First winner	Paul Deman (BEL)
Most wins	Achiel Buysse (BEL)  Fiorenzo Magni (ITA)  Eric Leman (BEL)  Johan Museeuw (BEL)  Tom Boonen (BEL)  Fabian Cancellara (SUI)  Mathieu van der Poel (NED) (3 wins each)
Most recent	Mathieu van der Poel (NED)

The Tour of Flanders (called Ronde van Vlaanderen in Dutch) is a super important bike race held every spring in Flanders, Belgium. People also call it De Ronde (meaning "The Tour") or Vlaanderens Mooiste ("Flanders' Most Beautiful"). It's a big part of the UCI World Tour, which is like the top league in cycling. The first race was way back in 1913, and its 100th race happened in 2016.

Today, the Tour of Flanders is one of the five "monuments" of cycling. These are the oldest and most respected one-day races. The other four are Milan–San Remo, Paris–Roubaix, Liège–Bastogne–Liège, and the Giro di Lombardia. The Tour of Flanders is famous for its cobblestone roads, and it happens one week before another famous cobbled race, Paris–Roubaix. The race has only stopped during World War I and has been held every year since 1919, which is a really long time!

Seven amazing cyclists share the record for most wins, each with three victories. These champions are Achiel Buysse, Eric Leman, Johan Museeuw, and Tom Boonen from Belgium, Fiorenzo Magni from Italy, Mathieu van der Poel from the Netherlands, and Fabian Cancellara from Switzerland.

Since 2004, there's also been a women's race on the same day, but over a shorter distance. Since 2021, both races use the "Tour of Flanders" name. To tell them apart, they are now called the 'Elite Men' and 'Elite Women' races.

Race History: How it Started

A Race for Flanders

The Tour of Flanders was created in 1913 by Léon van den Haute. He helped start a sports newspaper called Sportwereld. Back then, newspapers often organized bike races to get more people to buy their papers.

At the start of the 1900s, cycling in Belgium wasn't doing so well. Many bike tracks were closing, and big national championships weren't happening. The main Belgian race, Liège–Bastogne–Liège, was in the French-speaking part of Belgium. But then, in 1912, Odile Defraye became the first Belgian to win the Tour de France. He was a young rider from Flanders, and his win made people excited about Belgian cycling again. This inspired August De Maeght, who was the mayor of Halle and a newspaper director, to start a Dutch-language sports magazine called Sportwereld.

Karel Van Wijnendaele was a young sports journalist and a huge cycling fan who became the editor of Sportwereld in 1913. He wanted to create a race that would take place entirely in Flanders, going through as many cities as possible.

The Race During Wartime

The Tour of Flanders is special because it was the only big bike race held in German-occupied Belgium during World War II. The German army even helped keep the route safe. After the war, some people accused the race organizers of working with the Germans. However, Karel Van Wijnendaele, the race director, was cleared of these accusations when he showed proof that he had helped hide British pilots during the war.

Because of this history, a rival newspaper started a new race in 1945 called Omloop van Vlaanderen. The Tour of Flanders organizers said the name was too similar. So, the Belgian cycling group made the new race change its name to the Omloop Het Volk, which is now the first big race of the Belgian cycling season.

Early Races: Building a Legend

Korenmarkt, Ghent (pictured around 1890-1900) was where the first Tour of Flanders began in 1913.

On May 25, 1913, Karel van Wijnendaele organized the first Tour of Flanders. It started in Ghent and finished in Mariakerke, covering about 330 kilometres (210 mi) on mostly bad roads. The race ended on a wooden track where tickets were sold, but they didn't even cover half the prize money!

Marcel Buysse, who won the second Tour of Flanders, shown in 1913.

The first race was won by 25-year-old Paul Deman. He won a sprint after riding for over 12 hours! Deman's career was almost ended by World War I. He became a war hero by secretly carrying documents by bike into the neutral Netherlands. He was caught and almost executed, but the war ended just in time.

Only 37 riders started the first race, with five support cars. In 1914, there were 47 riders, but the organizers still struggled to find enough money. Even famous riders were sometimes not allowed to join by their French teams. However, Marcel Buysse, a Flemish cycling star, insisted on racing in 1914 and won! The distance was shortened to 264 kilometres (164 mi).

The 1920s: A Race Grows Up

The Tour of Flanders stopped during World War I but started again in 1919 and has run every year since. The races between the wars were tough, with terrible roads and war-damaged landscapes. But the Tour of Flanders quickly became very popular.

In the 1920s, Belgian track cyclists were very strong in the race. Gérard Debaets, who was famous for six-day races in America, won twice. In 1924, only 17 riders finished because of awful weather. Heiri Suter from Switzerland became the first non-Belgian winner in 1923. He also won Paris–Roubaix a week later, which was a big achievement. By the end of the 1920s, the Ronde was the most important cycling event in Flanders.

The 1930s: Big Crowds and New Rules

The Tour of Flanders became so popular in the 1930s that huge crowds lined the roads. It turned into a big cultural festival! By 1933, there were 164 riders and seven times as many cars and motorbikes following the race. This made safety a big problem. People would drive wildly, trying to see the race multiple times.

The 1929 Tour of Flanders on the dyke of the Bruges–Ostend Canal.

In 1933, the race director, Karel van Wijnendaele, asked the police to help control the crowds, but it was still difficult. The 1937 race was very messy with many accidents. After that, the entire course was guarded by police on motorbikes, which was a new idea back then. Things slowly got better.

The race also became more international, with riders from France, Germany, Italy, and other countries. But Belgians still won most of the time. Romain Gijssels was the first to win the Ronde two years in a row. The races in 1934 and 1935 were super rainy, making them incredibly tough.

Rider Conditions and Prizes

In the early days, riders had to fix their own problems. They carried spare tires over their shoulders because help from others was not allowed. Changing a tire could take minutes, especially in the cold. If any other part of the bike broke, the race was over for them.

Things got better in the 1930s. Riders were allowed to get a rain jacket, a spare tire, and a pump, but only in emergencies. A bike change was only allowed if the frame, wheel, or handlebars broke. By the end of the 1950s, the rules were much more like today's, with team cars helping riders.

The prize money for the first race in 1913 was 1,100 Belgian francs. By 1935, it had grown to 12,500 francs, with the winner getting 2,500 francs. During the war, prizes were whatever the organizers could find, like boxes of razors or bottles of wine!

The 1940s: War and New Stars

A statue honoring Briek Schotte in Kanegem. Schotte won the race twice and raced in it 20 times between 1940 and 1959.

In 1939, the organizing magazine Sportwereld joined with Het Nieuwsblad, a popular newspaper. Even though World War II was happening, the Tour of Flanders continued. The 1941 race, won by Achiel Buysse, was shorter (198 km (123 mi)) and on bad roads because of wartime rules.

Despite the war, the 1940s saw some of the race's most famous champions. Achiel Buysse became the first rider to win three times. Briek Schotte and Rik Van Steenbergen each won twice and became leading figures in Belgian cycling. Schotte is especially remembered for his 20 starts and 8 podium finishes. In 1944, young Rik Van Steenbergen, at just 19, became the youngest winner ever.

In 1948, the Tour of Flanders became part of the Challenge Desgrange-Colombo, which was cycling's first international competition. This made the race even more important worldwide. Before World War II, the Tour of Flanders was on the same day as Italy's biggest race, Milan–San Remo. This meant many top Italian and French riders chose the Italian race. But after the date change, the 1948 race had a record 265 riders, with 50 non-Belgians!

The 1950s: An International Race

Fiorenzo Magni from Italy showed how the race was becoming more international. He won an amazing three times in a row! In 1950 and 1951, Magni won alone in cold weather. In 1951, he attacked with 75 km (47 mi) to go and finished over 5 minutes ahead of the next rider. In 1955, the great Louison Bobet, who had won the Tour de France twice, became the first French winner. Flemish fans had to get used to foreign riders winning, but it made the race more famous around the world.

The 1960s: Growing Even Bigger

In 1961, Tom Simpson became the first British winner in a close sprint. The finish line banner had blown away, confusing his Italian rival, Nino Defilippis, who stopped pedaling too early.

The crowds kept growing, so the finish line was moved to Gentbrugge to handle all the spectators. Rik Van Looy won his second race in 1962 as world champion, surrounded by huge crowds.

In 1969, the young Eddy Merckx, who would become a cycling legend, broke away from the main group with 73 km (45 mi) left. Despite bad weather and his team manager's concerns, he kept going and won by a huge margin of 5 minutes and 36 seconds. This was the biggest winning difference ever!

The 1970s: New Challenges and Rivalries

In the 1970s, many traditional roads were paved, making the race less tough. To keep the Ronde special, organizers added more hills and found more challenging backroads in the Flemish Ardennes. In 1973, the finish moved to Meerbeke, close to the famous Muur of Geraardsbergen climb. Three years later, the very difficult Koppenberg hill was added.

Roger De Vlaeminck, on the Koppenberg in 1977, won that year's race.

These changes led to some exciting races. In 1975, Eddy Merckx won his second Tour of Flanders after another amazing solo ride. In 1976, two Belgian stars, Freddy Maertens and Roger De Vlaeminck, were in a group of five. But they didn't get along and let themselves be dropped near the finish. De Vlaeminck later said he didn't want Maertens to win.

Their rivalry got even more intense in 1977. Maertens got a flat tire on the Koppenberg and was given a wheel by a spectator, who also pushed him up the hill. De Vlaeminck broke away but also got a flat. When Maertens caught up, De Vlaeminck refused to help him. Maertens rode alone for 70 km (43 mi) with De Vlaeminck right behind him, and De Vlaeminck easily won the sprint. It was De Vlaeminck's only win. After the race, Maertens and the third-place finisher were disqualified for doping.

The 1980s: Dutch and Belgian Winners

The 1980s were mostly won by Dutch and Belgian riders. Jan Raas from the Netherlands won twice, and in 1986, Adri van der Poel secured the fifth Dutch win in seven years.

However, the most memorable race of this decade was in 1985. A huge storm hit the race, with strong winds and heavy rain. Only 24 out of 174 riders finished! Eric Vanderaerden from Belgium won after a 20 km solo ride.

In 1987, Claude Criquielion became the first French-speaking Belgian to win. Sean Kelly from Ireland finished second three times but never won the Ronde.

Johan Museeuw had eight podium finishes, including three wins, in the 1990s.

The 1990s: The Lion of Flanders

In 1989, the race became part of the first UCI Road World Cup, a series of the 10 most important one-day races. More riders started to specialize in these "classics."

In 1993, Belgian Johan Museeuw won and started to dominate the race for many years. Italian riders like Moreno Argentin, Gianni Bugno, and Michele Bartoli also won. In 1994, Bugno beat Museeuw by only 7 mm (0.28 in) in a sprint, the closest finish ever! The next day, a Flemish newspaper showed the photo finish with the headline "The Sorrow of Flanders." Museeuw had eight podium finishes and three wins, earning him the nickname "The Lion of Flanders."

The 21st Century: A Monument Race

Filippo Pozzato and Tom Boonen attacking on the final ascent of Oude Kwaremont in 2012. Boonen won the race.

Italian riders Gianluca Bortolami and Andrea Tafi won in the early 2000s. In 2005, the race became part of the new UCI Pro Tour, and in 2011, the World Tour. This officially made it one of the five "monuments" of cycling. Tom Boonen became the new Belgian star, winning two years in a row.

In 2010, Boonen and Fabian Cancellara attacked with 45 km (28 mi) to go. Boonen was expected to win, but Cancellara, a strong time trial rider, attacked on the Muur van Geraardsbergen and won alone.

In 2011, the Tour of Flanders was taken over by Flanders Classics. They changed the race, moving the finish to Oudenaarde in 2012. Tom Boonen won his third and final Tour of Flanders that year. Fabian Cancellara then won the next two years, attacking on the Oude Kwaremont. In 2015, both Boonen and Cancellara were injured, and Alexander Kristoff became the first Norwegian winner.

The 100th edition in 2016 was a big celebration and was won by Peter Sagan. The 2020 Tour of Flanders was moved to October and shortened because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the women's race officially shared the "Tour of Flanders" name.

The Race Route: Where the Action Happens

Current Course

Ronde van Vlaanderenstraat in Kluisbergen with images of former winners Briek Schotte, Tom Simpson, Edwig van Hooydonck and Tom Boonen (2021).

Since 2017, the Tour of Flanders starts in Antwerp. After about 100 km (62 mi) of flat roads, the riders reach Oudenaarde. This is where the most important part of the race begins.

Since 2012, the end of the race has three loops in the Flemish Ardennes, finishing in Oudenaarde. These loops have many short, steep hills (called hellingen) and some flat, cobbled roads. The hills are where riders often attack and decide the race. They are known for being short but very steep, and most of them are covered in cobblestones.

Most of these climbs are close together, making the roads twist and turn a lot. The Oude Kwaremont is the first and longest climb at 2.2 km (1.4 mi). It's not super steep but is considered one of the hardest because it's long and cobbled. The steepest climb is the Koppenberg, which is 600 metres (2,000 ft) long with parts that are 22% steep on a rough, narrow cobbled road.

The last two climbs, the Oude Kwaremont and the Paterberg, are ridden twice. On the final loop, the Oude Kwaremont is 16 km (9.9 mi) from the finish, and the Paterberg is 13 km (8.1 mi) away. These are often where the race is won. After the Paterberg, there's a flat ride to the finish, making the total race about c. 265 km (165 mi).

Route Changes Over Time

The route of the Tour of Flanders has changed a lot over the years, but it has always been in the provinces of East Flanders and West Flanders. For the first 30 years, the race started and finished in Ghent.

The first race in 1913 went east to Sint-Niklaas, then in a big circle through cities like Aalst and Oudenaarde, all the way to the coast at Ostend, and then back to Ghent. This route visited all the main cities in Flanders.

The Muur of Geraardsbergen, with its chapel on top, was added back to the race in 2017 after five years.

In 1973, the finish moved to Meerbeke, outside of Ghent for the first time. This new finish was closer to the hills, allowing new climbs to be added. The Muur van Geraardsbergen, with its steep 20% sections and a chapel at the top, became a famous part of the race. From 1973 to 2011, the Muur was usually followed by the Bosberg, the last climb.

In 2012, the finish was changed to Oudenaarde, which meant the Muur and Bosberg were no longer in the race. The final climbs became the Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg.

In 2017, the start moved to Antwerp, and the Muur was put back into the race, though it still finished in Oudenaarde. This change was a big deal for many cycling fans.

Start and Finish Locations

The Tour of Flanders has started in four different cities: Ghent, Sint-Niklaas, Bruges, and Antwerp. The very first race in 1913 started in Ghent's historic city center. Until the 1950s, a Sunday church service was even held for riders before the race.

Antwerp has been the starting city for the race since 2017.

In 1977, Sint-Niklaas became the new start city because its large market square had more space for the growing crowds. In 1998, the start moved to Bruges, a beautiful historic city. This made it possible for the race to pass by the seashore again.

Since 2017, the race starts in Antwerp, Flanders' biggest city. This was a revolutionary change, as it was the first time the race started outside the historical region of Flanders.

The finish line has also moved several times. In 1913, it was on a bike track in Mariakerke. From 1928 to 1961, it was in Wetteren. From 1973 to 2011, the finish was in Meerbeke, a tradition that lasted 39 years.

Oudenaarde has been the Tour of Flanders finish location since 2012.

In 2011, it was announced that Oudenaarde would be the new finish city. This change was part of a big redesign of the race by the new organizers, Flanders Classics. Many fans were upset about this new finish.

Race Characteristics: What Makes it Special

The Race Style

Bradley Wiggins leading a group on Oude Kwaremont in the 2015 race.

Peloton climbing the Koppenberg.

The Tour of Flanders is known for being a very strategic race. Riders have many chances to plan their winning attacks. The tactical part starts in the hilly Flemish Ardennes, where teams and riders must react quickly to unexpected things happening.

The steep hills encourage riders to attack aggressively, which makes the Tour of Flanders exciting to watch. Riders often rush onto the narrow roads leading to the climbs as teams try to get their best riders to the front. After a climb, there's usually a bigger road for a short break before the next small road and climb.

Since most hills are in small villages or rural areas, the roads are narrow. This makes the group of riders stretch out into a long line and often break into smaller groups. So, the best riders have to constantly fight to stay at the front. The race is famous for being very nerve-wracking, with some top riders falling behind early due to crashes or flat tires, often unable to catch up.

Alessandro Ballan in 2012.

Because of this, "luck" plays a big part. This might be why no rider has ever won the Tour of Flanders more than three times, as even the best riders can have bad luck.

Since the race was redesigned in 2012, the climbs of Oude Kwaremont, Paterberg, and Koppenberg are the main action spots. The Kwaremont is a long cobbled section that starts steep and then flattens out. Strong riders often make their winning moves here. The Paterberg is the last climb of the day, where fans create a party atmosphere. It's short, cobbled, and incredibly steep. After about 245 km (152 mi) of racing, it's the ultimate test of strength.

The race's unique culture and tough competition are key parts of the Tour of Flanders. Two-time winner Peter Van Petegem said: "It doesn’t really matter where it goes. You have cobblestones and climbs and small roads, and that provides the character of the race."

The Famous Climbs

Tom Boonen in the 2010 race.

Fabian Cancellara and Sylvain Chavanel at the bottom of the Muur in 2011.

The short, steep hills in the Flemish Ardennes are what make the Ronde special. Huge crowds gather here to watch the race. Recent races have included 17 to 19 of these hills, but the number changes almost every year. Each climb is different and challenges the riders in unique ways. The Kwaremont is 2.2 km (1.4 mi) long but not very steep. The Paterberg is short and brutally steep at 20%. The Koppenberg in Melden is the steepest hill at 22%, with a very rough, uneven cobbled surface. It's also extremely narrow, making it feel like a natural arena. Other famous climbs include the Eikenberg, Molenberg, and Taaienberg.

The Koppenberg seen from the bottom in Melden.

The Koppenberg has sometimes been left out of the race because it was considered too difficult and dangerous. Especially when wet, the slippery cobblestones made it hard for riders to cycle all the way up. If one rider fell, many others could crash or get stuck, forcing them to carry their bikes up the rest of the hill. In 1987, Danish rider Jesper Skibby slipped and was run over by an official's car. After this, the climb was banned for 15 years.

The Koppenberg returned in 2002 after its surface was fixed. It's now a permanent part of the course, and support cars are sent on a different route to avoid chaos.

In 2015, there were 19 climbs:

The steep slopes of the Paterberg in Kluisbergen.

Eikenberg in Maarkedal.

Scenic Molenberg in Zwalm.

The steepest slopes of the Muur van Geraardsbergen at 20%.

Ladeuze in Maarkedal.

Climb facts:

• Kluisberg: Climbs 66m, maximum 11%. First climbed 1955.
• Molenberg: Climbs 32m, maximum 17%. First climbed 1983.
• Oude Kwaremont: Climbs 93m, maximum 11%. First climbed 1974.
• Koppenberg: Climbs 64m, maximum 25% (inside bend). First climbed 1976.
• Taaienberg: Climbs 45m, maximum 18%. First climbed 1974.
• Berg ter Stene: Climbs 68m, maximum 9%. First climbed 1957.
• Leberg: Climbs 39m, maximum 15%. First climbed 1977.
• Berendries: Climbs 65m, maximum 14%. First climbed 1983.
• Valkenberg: Climbs 53m, maximum 15%. First climbed 1959.
• Muur-Kapelmuur: Climbs 77m, maximum 20%. First climbed 1950.
• Bosberg: Climbs 40m, maximum 11%. First climbed 1975.
• Tenbosse: Climbs 28m, maximum 14%. First climbed 1997.

Cobblestone Roads

Winding Haaghoek cobbled road in Sint-Kornelis-Horebeke.

Besides the hills, the race also includes flat sections of cobblestone roads. These include the Paddestraat (2400m), Mater-Kerkgate (3000m), Haaghoek (2000m), and Mariaborrestraat (2400m). Unlike the very rough cobbled sections in Paris–Roubaix, these roads are in good condition today. They haven't been the main deciding points of the race for decades, but many fans want them to stay because they are important symbols of the Flemish landscape.

In the early days, many dirt and cobbled roads were crucial. Historians say that organizers didn't specifically choose bad roads; cobbled roads were just what was available for a long race. After World War II, Belgium started paving roads with asphalt.

Classified Paddestraat in Velzeke.

When some famous hills were paved, cycling fans worried about losing the cobblestones. Organizers had to search for small alleys and footpaths on maps to find new challenging sections. Most of these back roads were in the low hills between Ronse and Geraardsbergen, which became the heart of the race.

Over the years, there were fewer miles of cobbled roads, but more cobbled hills were added. The Paterberg climb was unpaved until 1986. Its owner, a cycling enthusiast, paved it with cobblestones because he wanted the race to pass by his house. The race organizers immediately included it, and it has been a key part of the course ever since.

Many of the remaining cobbled roads in Flanders, including the Paterberg, are now protected as part of Flemish cultural heritage.

Weather's Impact

Just like in most bike races, the weather plays a big role. In bad weather, the race becomes a very tough challenge, and many riders drop out early. In 1985, a huge storm hit the race, and only 24 riders finished. When the weather is good, teams can control the race more easily, and more riders can keep up. Since the weather in April in Flanders can be very unpredictable, the race has often been affected by rough conditions.

The founder, Karel Van Wijnendaele, actually liked bad weather. He wanted the Tour of Flanders to show the spirit of Flanders. He described the riders as tough, hard-working people constantly battling the elements. This idea, along with the often harsh conditions, made the Tour of Flanders known as a "character race" where only the strongest and most determined riders could win.

Rider Characteristics: Who Wins the Ronde?

Time trial specialist Fabian Cancellara won three times.

Since the early days, winners of the Tour of Flanders have been called Flandrien or Flahute. These were riders who were incredibly tough and could ride fast all day, over long distances, and in any weather. Their achievements helped make bike racing the most popular sport in Flanders.

Because the course is so demanding, the Tour of Flanders usually favors a certain type of cyclist today. These are known as "classics specialists" or "cobbled classics specialists." To win, riders need a wide range of skills. The aggressive nature of the climbs favors riders who can explode with power, but the long distance of the race requires top fitness and endurance.

Even though the race has never ended in a big group sprint, sprinters often do well, especially those who have become strong all-around riders, like Tom Boonen or Alexander Kristoff. Time trial specialists like Fabian Cancellara have also done very well. They use their ability to maintain a high speed as a powerful weapon on the last hills and the flat road to the finish. Cancellara won two of his three races alone.

Many recent top finishers in the cobbled classics have similar physical traits. Record winners like Johan Museeuw (186 cm, 79 kg), Tom Boonen (192 cm, 82 kg), and Fabian Cancellara (186 cm, 81 kg) are all powerful and heavier riders. Recent winner Alexander Kristoff is also in this range (181 cm, 78 kg).

However, these physical features are not always necessary. Two-time winner Peter Van Petegem (176 cm, 72 kg) and 2011 winner Nick Nuyens (177 cm, 68 kg) were noticeably smaller riders.

Memorable Races

1919: Van Lerberghe's Big Win

The winner in 1919, Henri Vanlerberghe, showed up without a bike! He borrowed one from another rider's brother-in-law. Before the race started, he joked that he would drop everyone. He pulled away right at the start and was never caught. Just before the finish, he even stopped at a pub for a few beers! His manager had to go get him back on the bike. After winning, Van Lerberghe told the crowd, "Go home; I'm half a day ahead of the field!"

1939: Kaers' Training Ride

Karel Kaers, who was the youngest world road champion, won the Ronde in 1939 by accident! He was just using it as a training ride for another race. He drove to the Kwaremont hill, parked his car, and then rode 40 km (25 mi) to the start. His plan was to ride part of the course and then drive home. But when he got to his car, it wasn't there! His manager had driven it away to make him keep riding. So, Kaers kept going and won the race!

1944: Van Steenbergen's Lucky Day

Rik Van Steenbergen won in 1944 when he was just 19 years old, making him the youngest winner ever. During the race, several riders fell on the track near the finish. Van Steenbergen rode around them and won.

1951: Magni's Amazing Ride

Fiorenzo Magni, an Italian rider, won so many special prizes during his long solo ride in 1951 that he could have bought a house with the money! He was one of nine riders who broke away early. The others dropped off one by one until Magni was alone. He rode the last 75 km (47 mi) by himself and won the Ronde for the third year in a row, by almost eight minutes!

1961: Simpson vs. Defilippis

In 1961, the wind was so strong that the finish line banner blew down. British rider Tom Simpson was ahead with Italian champion Nino Defilippis. Simpson, who was not as fast a sprinter, attacked early. Defilippis passed him but then started to slow down just before the finish because he couldn't see the line. Simpson was thrilled and won! When Defilippis complained, Simpson joked, "An Englishman had not won one since 1896!"

1969: Merckx's Incredible Win

Eddy Merckx was a world-famous rider, but he hadn't won the Ronde yet. In 1969, he attacked early in the race, and half the other riders never saw him again. He kept attacking until he was alone. Even though others chased hard, Merckx won by over five and a half minutes! It was a huge win, but the Ronde remained a tough race for him, and it took him another six years to win it again.

1985: Vanderaerden in the Storm

Bad weather often hits the Ronde. In 1985, a storm broke out in the second half of the race. It was so cold and rainy that only 24 riders finished. It was a legendary race! Eric Vanderaerden managed to get back to the front after looking beaten and rode the last 20 km (12 mi) alone to win.

1987: Skibby on the Koppenberg

The narrow, rough hills of the Ronde can be dangerous. In 1987, Danish rider Jesper Skibby fell on the Koppenberg and was hit by an official's car that tried to pass him. The car ran over his back wheel, almost hitting his leg. The incident overshadowed the victory of Claude Criquielion, the first French-speaking Belgian to win the Tour of Flanders.

Opinions About the Race

• "Only those who are in top condition can say that the Ronde is not hard. For everyone else, it's the Way of the Cross." – Andrea Tafi
• "I told the organisers it wasn't a race but a war game. It's hard to explain what the Koppenberg means to a racing cyclist. Instead of being a race, it's a lottery. Only the first five or six riders have any chance: the rest fall off or scramble up as best they can. What on earth have we done to send us to hell now?" – Bernard Hinault
• "As a Belgian, winning Flanders for the first time is far more important than wearing the yellow jersey in the Tour." – Johan Museeuw
• "Looking back, you get a bit nostalgic, but from a competitive point of view, Flanders was one of the most horrible races to ride but one of the greatest races to win." – Sean Kelly
• "The Tour of Flanders is unlike any other bike race in the world. It is, without question, the hardest one-day bike race ever created. What seems like a million corners, combined with twenty to thirty steep pitches and narrow roads, none of which go the same direction for more than a mile, all mix together to make it war on a bike. There isn’t a race in North America that compares. Flanders may as well be a different sport." – George Hincapie

Winners of the Tour of Flanders

Paul Deman (pictured at the 1913 Tour de France) won the first Tour of Flanders.

Swiss Heiri Suter was the first non-Belgian winner of the race in 1923.

Italian Fiorenzo Magni is the only rider who won the Tour of Flanders three times in a row.

Slovak Peter Sagan (pictured on Oude Kwaremont) won the 100th edition in 2016.

Rider Team 1913 Deman, PaulPaul Deman Automoto–Continental 1914 Buysse, MarcelMarcel Buysse Alcyon–Soly 1915– 1918 No race 1919 Vanlerberghe, HenriHenri Vanlerberghe – 1920 Van Hevel, JulesJules Van Hevel – 1921 Vermandel, RenéRené Vermandel – 1922 De Vos, LeonLéon Devos – 1923 Suter, HeiriHeiri Suter Gurtner 1924 Debaets, GerardGerard Debaets Labor 1925 Delbecque, JulienJulien Delbecque Armor 1926 Verschueren, DenisDenis Verschueren Wonder 1927 Debaets, GerardGerard Debaets J.B. Louvet 1928 Mertens, JanJan Mertens Thomann 1929 Dervaes, JefJef Dervaes Génial Lucifer–Hutchinson 1930 Bonduel, FransFrans Bonduel Dilecta–Wolber 1931 Gijssels, RomainRomain Gijssels Dilecta–Wolber 1932 Gijssels, RomainRomain Gijssels Dilecta 1933 Schepers, AlfonsAlfons Schepers La Française 1934 Rebry, GastonGaston Rebry Alcyon–Dunlop 1935 Duerloo, LouisLouis Duerloo Génial Lucifer 1936 Hardiquest, LouisLouis Hardiquest De Dion 1937 D'Hooghe, MichelMichel D'Hooghe Van Hauwaert 1938 De Caluwe, EdgardEdgard de Caluwé Dilecta–Wolber 1939 Kaers, KarelKarel Kaers Alcyon–Dunlop 1940 Buysse, AchielAchiel Buysse Dilecta 1941 Buysse, AchielAchiel Buysse Dilecta 1942 Schotte, BriekBriek Schotte Mercier–Hutchinson 1943 Buysse, AchielAchiel Buysse Dilecta 1944 Van Steenbergen, RikRik Van Steenbergen Mercier–Hutchinson 1945 Grysolle, SylvainSylvain Grysolle – 1946 Van Steenbergen, RikRik Van Steenbergen Mercier–Hutchinson 1947 Faignaert, EmielEmiel Faignaert Dilecta 1948 Schotte, BriekBriek Schotte Alcyon–Dunlop 1949 Magni, FiorenzoFiorenzo Magni Wilier Triestina 1950 Magni, FiorenzoFiorenzo Magni Wilier Triestina 1951 Magni, FiorenzoFiorenzo Magni Ganna–Ursus 1952 Decock, RogerRoger Decock Bertin 1953 van Est, WimWim van Est Garin–Wolber 1954 Impanis, RaymondRaymond Impanis Mercier–Hutchinson 1955 Bobet, LouisonLouison Bobet Mercier–BP–Hutchinson 1956 Forestier, JeanJean Forestier Follis–Dunlop 1957 De Bruyne, FredFred De Bruyne Carpano–Coppi 1958 Derijcke, GermainGermain Derijcke Carpano 1959 Van Looy, RikRik Van Looy Faema–Guerra 1960 De Cabooter, ArthurArthur De Cabooter Groene Leeuw–Sinalco–SAS 1961 Simpson, TomTom Simpson Rapha–Gitane–Dunlop 1962 Van Looy, RikRik Van Looy Flandria–Faema–Clément 1963 Fore, NoelNoel Foré Flandria–Faema 1964 Altig, RudiRudi Altig Saint-Raphaël–Gitane–Dunlop 1965 de Roo, JoJo de Roo Televizier 1966 Sels, EdwardEdward Sels Solo–Superia 1967 Zandegù, DinoDino Zandegù Salvarani 1968 Godefroot, WalterWalter Godefroot Flandria–De Clerck 1969 Merckx, EddyEddy Merckx Faema 1970 Leman, EricEric Leman Flandria–Mars 1971 Dolman, EvertEvert Dolman Flandria–Mars 1972 Leman, EricEric Leman Bic 1973 Leman, EricEric Leman Peugeot–BP–Michelin 1974 Bal, CeesCees Bal Gan–Mercier–Hutchinson 1975 Merckx, EddyEddy Merckx Molteni–RYC 1976 Planckaert, WalterWalter Planckaert Maes Pils–Rokado 1977 De Vlaeminck, RogerRoger De Vlaeminck Brooklyn 1978 Godefroot, WalterWalter Godefroot IJsboerke–Gios 1979 Raas, JanJan Raas TI–Raleigh–McGregor 1980 Pollentier, MichelMichel Pollentier Splendor 1981 Kuiper, HennieHennie Kuiper DAF Trucks–Côte d'Or 1982 Martens, ReneRené Martens DAF Trucks–TeVe Blad 1983 Raas, JanJan Raas TI–Raleigh–Campagnolo 1984 Lammerts, JohanJohan Lammerts Panasonic–Raleigh 1985 Vanderaerden, EricEric Vanderaerden Panasonic–Raleigh 1986 van der Poel, AdrieAdrie van der Poel Kwantum–Decosol–Yoko 1987 Criquielion, ClaudeClaude Criquielion Hitachi–Marc 1988 Planckaert, EddyEddy Planckaert AD Renting–Mini-Flat–Enerday 1989 van Hooydonck, EdwigEdwig van Hooydonck Superconfex–Yoko–Opel–Colnago 1990 Argentin, MorenoMoreno Argentin Ariostea 1991 van Hooydonck, EdwigEdwig van Hooydonck Buckler–Colnago–Decca 1992 Durand, JackyJacky Durand Castorama 1993 Museeuw, JohanJohan Museeuw GB–MG Maglificio 1994 Bugno, GianniGianni Bugno Team Polti–Vaporetto 1995 Museeuw, JohanJohan Museeuw Mapei–GB–Latexco 1996 Bartoli, MicheleMichele Bartoli MG Maglificio–Technogym 1997 Sorensen, RolfRolf Sørensen Rabobank 1998 Museeuw, JohanJohan Museeuw Mapei–Bricobi 1999 van Petegem, PeterPeter van Petegem TVM–Farm Frites 2000 Tchmil, AndreiAndrei Tchmil Lotto–Adecco 2001 Bortolami, GianlucaGianluca Bortolami Tacconi Sport–Vini Caldirola 2002 Tafi, AndreaAndrea Tafi Mapei–Quick-Step 2003 van Petegem, PeterPeter van Petegem Lotto–Domo 2004 Wesemann, SteffenSteffen Wesemann T-Mobile Team 2005 Boonen, TomTom Boonen Quick-Step–Innergetic 2006 Boonen, TomTom Boonen Quick-Step–Innergetic 2007 Ballan, AlessandroAlessandro Ballan Lampre–Fondital 2008 Devolder, StijnStijn Devolder Quick-Step 2009 Devolder, StijnStijn Devolder Quick-Step 2010 Cancellara, FabianFabian Cancellara Team Saxo Bank 2011 Nuyens, NickNick Nuyens Saxo Bank–SunGard 2012 Boonen, TomTom Boonen Omega Pharma–Quick-Step 2013 Cancellara, FabianFabian Cancellara RadioShack–Leopard 2014 Cancellara, FabianFabian Cancellara Trek Factory Racing 2015 Kristoff, AlexanderAlexander Kristoff Team Katusha 2016 Sagan, PeterPeter Sagan Tinkoff 2017 Gilbert, PhilippePhilippe Gilbert Quick-Step Floors 2018 Terpstra, NikiNiki Terpstra Quick-Step Floors 2019 Bettiol, AlbertoAlberto Bettiol EF Education First 2020 van der Poel, MathieuMathieu van der Poel Alpecin–Fenix 2021 Asgreen, KasperKasper Asgreen Deceuninck–Quick-Step 2022 van der Poel, MathieuMathieu van der Poel Alpecin–Fenix 2023 Pogačar, TadejTadej Pogačar UAE Team Emirates 2024 van der Poel, MathieuMathieu van der Poel Alpecin–Deceuninck Riders with Multiple Wins Wins Rider Editions 3  Achiel Buysse (BEL) 1940, 1941, 1943  Fiorenzo Magni (ITA) 1949, 1950, 1951  Eric Leman (BEL) 1970, 1972, 1973  Johan Museeuw (BEL) 1993, 1995, 1998  Tom Boonen (BEL) 2005, 2006, 2012  Fabian Cancellara (SUI) 2010, 2013, 2014  Mathieu van der Poel (NED) 2020, 2022, 2024 2  Gerard Debaets (BEL) 1924, 1927  Romain Gijssels (BEL) 1931, 1932  Briek Schotte (BEL) 1942, 1948  Rik Van Steenbergen (BEL) 1944, 1946  Rik Van Looy (BEL) 1959, 1962  Walter Godefroot (BEL) 1968, 1978  Eddy Merckx (BEL) 1969, 1975  Jan Raas (NED) 1979, 1983  Edwig Van Hooydonck (BEL) 1989, 1991  Peter Van Petegem (BEL) 1999, 2003  Stijn Devolder (BEL) 2008, 2009 Wins by Country Wins Country 69  Belgium 13  Netherlands 11  Italy 4  Switzerland 3  France 2  Denmark  Germany (including  West Germany) 1  Great Britain  Norway  Slovakia  Slovenia Winners of the "Cobbled Classics Double" Sometimes, a rider wins both the Tour of Flanders and Paris–Roubaix in the same year. This has happened 13 times. Tom Boonen and Fabian Cancellara are the only riders to do this "double" twice! Rider Country Year Henri Suter  Switzerland 1923 Romain Gijssels  Belgium 1932 Gaston Rebry  Belgium 1934 Raymond Impanis  Belgium 1954 Fred De Bruyne  Belgium 1957 Rik Van Looy  Belgium 1962 Roger De Vlaeminck  Belgium 1977 Peter van Petegem  Belgium 2003 Tom Boonen  Belgium 2005 Fabian Cancellara  Switzerland 2010 Tom Boonen (2)  Belgium 2012 Fabian Cancellara (2)  Switzerland 2013 Mathieu van der Poel  Netherlands 2024 Henri Van Lerberghe won the 1919 Tour of Flanders with a 14-minute lead, the biggest ever! Top: Van Lerberghe walking to the finish. Bottom: second-place Léon Buysse. American George Hincapie (pictured at the Tour de France) finished the event a record 17 times. Records and Fun Facts The longest Tour of Flanders was the first one in 1913, at 324 km (201 mi). The shortest was during the war in 1941, at 198 km (123 mi). The fastest race was in 2024, won by Mathieu van der Poel, with an average speed of 44.481 km/h (27.639 mph). The slowest race was in 1923, won by Heiri Suter, with an average speed of 26.2 km/h (16.3 mph). The closest finish was in 1994, when Gianni Bugno beat Johan Museeuw by only 7 mm (0.28 in)! The biggest winning difference was in 1919, when Henri Vanlerberghe was 14 minutes ahead of the next group. The youngest winner was Rik Van Steenbergen in 1944, at 19 years and 206 days old. The oldest winner was Andrei Tchmil in 2000, at 37 years and 71 days old. The Tour of Flanders attracts between 600,000 and 800,000 spectators along the road every year! The record for most times participating is held by Belgian Briek Schotte, who raced 20 times from 1940 to 1959. American George Hincapie holds the record for most finishes, completing the race 17 times out of 17 starts. Seven men share the record for most victories, with three wins each: Achiel Buysse, Fiorenzo Magni, Eric Leman, Johan Museeuw, Tom Boonen, Fabian Cancellara, and Mathieu van der Poel. Belgium has the most wins as a country, with 69 victories. Only one rider, Fiorenzo Magni, has won three years in a row. Briek Schotte and Johan Museeuw both have a record eight podium finishes (top three). Mathieu van der Poel is the only rider with 5 podium finishes in a row (2020-2024). Sean Kelly and Leif Hoste have the most second-place finishes (three each) without ever winning the race. Six riders have won the race while wearing the rainbow jersey as world champions: Louison Bobet (1955), Rik Van Looy (1962), Eddy Merckx (1975), Tom Boonen (2006), Peter Sagan (2016), and Mathieu van der Poel (2024). Tour of Flanders for Women The women's group climbing Oude Kwaremont during the 2015 women's event. Main article: Tour of Flanders for Women Since 2004, there has been a women's Tour of Flanders (Ronde van Vlaanderen voor Vrouwen). It's held every spring on the same day as the men's race and is one of the most important events in women's cycling. From 2004 to 2011, the women's race was about 115 km (71 mi) long. It started in Oudenaarde and finished in Meerbeke, with the last 55 km (34 mi) being the same as the men's race. Since 2012, the race starts and finishes in Oudenaarde. It's 155 km (96 mi) long and has a similar ending to the men's race, with many of the same hills, except for the Koppenberg. In 2018, the race had 12 climbs, including the Muur van Geraardsbergen, Oude Kwaremont, and Paterberg. The final 35 km (22 mi) are exactly the same as the men's race. Dutch rider Mirjam Melchers-Van Poppel and Germany's Judith Arndt currently hold the record with two wins each. Experience Center The Tour of Flanders Center in Oudenaarde. The Centrum Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders Center) is a fun, interactive museum in Oudenaarde all about the Tour of Flanders. It opened in 2003 and has lots of old TV and radio recordings. Visitors can even experience riding on a cobbled road or climbing the Kwaremont virtually, racing against stars like Peter Van Petegem. The museum's founder is former sports journalist Rik Van Walleghem. The museum's curator is 1970s cycling star Freddy Maertens, who gives guided tours. The center is in Oudenaarde's city square, close to the Tour of Flanders finish line, which moved to Oudenaarde in 2012. There's also a cafe and a gift shop. Cyclosportive Event Since 1999, there's a Tour of Flanders Cyclosportive event for non-professional riders called We Ride Flanders. It's held the day before the professional race. The longest route is 230 km (140 mi), starting in Antwerp. There are also three shorter routes (174 km (108 mi), 140 km (87 mi), or 74 km (46 mi)) that all start and finish in Oudenaarde. Because it's so popular, the number of participants is limited to 16,000 to keep riders safe. Tickets usually sell out months before the event. About 60% of the participants are from outside Belgium. See also In Spanish: Tour de Flandes para niños Tour of Flanders for Women Classic cycle races