SPRING CLASSICS

The cycling world descends on northern Europe for the best races of the year. Here’s our in-depth preview of the players and parcours

The Classics are the first big rendezvous of the year; the point at which the rolling form guide that is the early season stage racing circus has been focusing on since early February. Weekends through late March and April are when one-day specialists, Grand Tour winners, rouleurs and opportunists come to make a name for themselves on the fabled roads of Italy, France, and, of course, Belgium.

The men’s and women’s one-day races that now run through to 24 April offer something for everyone, bring the crowds out in their hundreds of thousands (something that has been sorely missing for the last two years) and write another chapter in the sport’s history.

Like everyone, we look ahead to the Spring Classics excited about the pending duels, new faces and the performances of the biggest names in the sport.

Two riders sit at the top of the sport right now, and their pending duel at the Tour of Flanders is the most mouthwatering prospect this Classics season. Wout van Aert needs no introduction and after his performance at Het Nieuwsblad would be out-and-out favourite for Flanders. But Tadej Pogacar defies all preconceptions and his presence changes everything.

The double-Tour-winning 23-year-old has never ridden a cobbled Classic, or any race in the northern part of Belgium for that matter. But that won’t stop him. His 50km solo ride at Strade Bianche was like something from another era and no one has been able to match him so far this year when making his winning move.

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