There will be changes to the monument Tour of Flanders to be held on the 18th of October, one of four ‘Flanders classics’ being held in October (starts the 7th)- Tenbosse and the Muur van Geraardsbergen cut from Tour of Flanders
![]() |
News: Changes to Flanders Classics
Event Press Release
With De Brabantse Pijl (7/10), Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields (11/10), the Scheldeprijs (14/10) and finally, the Tour of Flanders (18/10), there are still four Flanders Classics races on the revised cycling calendar for 2020.
Oct 7: De Brabantse Pijl
Oct 11: Gent-Wevelgem
Oct 14: Scheldeprijs
Oct 18: Tour of Flanders
The Flanders organisation has decided to change the race circuit a bit from what was planned in the spring and to shorten the races in view of the busy autumn calendar that awaits the teams. The Flanders Classics team, just like cycling fans, is looking forward to October with great enthusiasm. With no fewer than four races to look forward to, the preparations have now started again.
In recent weeks, for example, the organisation has been working on the circuits of the various races. The quick succession of races on the newly proposed calendar will require quite a bit of organisation on the part of the teams. To provide the teams and riders with enough opportunity to rest between the races that will follow each other in rapid succession in October, Flanders Classics has decided, in consultation with various teams, to slightly shorten the distance of its races.
This amounts to a limited reduction in the total distance of De Brabantse Pijl, Gent-Wevelgem, the Scheldeprijs and the Tour of Flanders, while nevertheless keeping the classic highlights in the finals.
… continued after advert
THE RACES
De Brabantse Pijl – 7/10 (184 km Elite Men and 122 km Elite Women)
Just like the start in Leuven, the finish in Overijse, with climbs of Hagaard, Hertstraat, Holstheide and Schavei, will be retained. As announced earlier, the Moskesstraat will take the place of the Ijskelderlaan, both for the Elite Men and the Elite Women.
There is a change in and around Beersel for the Elite Men, however. They will ride one lap locally in this edition, including the ascent of the Bruine Put, Menisberg and Lotsestraat. A total of 26 hills await them. Nothing changes to the previously proposed course for the women. They can get ready for a challenging edition with no less than 20 climbs, starting in Lennik and finishing in Overijse.
Gent-Wevelgem – 11/10 (238 km Elite Men and 142 km Elite Women)
As planned, both the Elite Men and the Elite Women will also start in Ypres on 11 October for the first time in the history of this classic. However, for the men’s circuit, the section over French territory will be left out entirely. As a result, some hills, such as Catsberg, Zwarte Berg and Vert Mont, will no longer be part of the circuit. So that the race will have the number of climbs it needs, an extra, and thus third, passage on the Kemmelberg will be included in the circuit.
The Plugstreets and the Moeren will also remain part of the race course. The circuit for the Elite Women remains largely unchanged. The Scherpenberg and Vidaigneberg will be the first two climbs on the route, with the Kemmelberg as the final climb, after which there will still be 35 km to the finish on the Vanackerestraat in Wevelgem.
Scheldeprijs – 14/10 (183 km Elite Men)
The Scheldeprijs will cross the border to the Netherlands as planned and will start in Terneuzen. What will change is the passage through Zeeland, which will be slightly modified for this edition. The pack will then head in the direction of Schoten for the classic finish with three local loops. At the end of the third local loop, the finish awaits on the Churchilllaan.
Tour of Flanders – 18/10 (241 km Elite Men and 135 km Elite Women)
Vlaanderens Mooiste closes the autumn series with an unchanged finish. The duo Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg will also play a key role in October for both the Elite Men, starting in Antwerp, and the Elite Women, starting in Oudenaarde.
The cutting of race kilometres comes after the first climb of the Oude Kwaremont. Due to the change, Tenbosse and the Muur van Geraardsbergen will not be on the menu in October, and the Valkenberg will be added to the circuit. From the second ascent of the Oude Kwaremont, the men will head into the familiar last 50 km with the climb of the Koppenberg, followed by the cobblestones of the Mariaborrestraat, Steenbeekdries and Taaienberg. After the passage on the Kruisberg/Hotond in Ronse follows the decisive climb of the duo Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg.
From the Taaienberg, which was added to their circuit in 2019, the women will also compete along the same final section as the men. After the last climb of the Paterberg, another 13 km await them to the finish in Oudenaarde.
Flanders Classics is currently working on the preparations for its postponed races, subject to measures related to COVID-19. We are already looking forward to 7 October and the start of De Brabantse Pijl in Leuven and Lennik.
Cycle Division’s Shop
Send your results as well as club, team & event news here
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Features, Reports, Results
- Crit Result: Odd Down Winter Series 3
- Crit Result: Velo29 Winter Series 3
- Track Result: Premier Division Manchester Track League #4
- Team Feature: Hutchinson/Brother UK
- Events: Spring MK Bowl Circuit Series
- Crit Result: Full Gas Winter Series (LVVP #13)
- Events: RCR Fatcreations Road Race
- Team News: DAS Handsling Women’s UCI Team
- News: GB for European Track Championships
- Crit Result: Full Gas Winter Series (Hillingdon #6)
- CX Result: NWCCA CX League Round 9
- CX Result: London/SE CX League Rd 10
- CX Result: Wessex CX League Rd 13
- CX Result: Eastern Cyclo-Cross League 11
- CX Result: East Kent CX League 5
- British Track Championships: Day 3 Report
- Track Results: British Track Championhip Results (para)
- Track Results: British Track Championship Results (M)
- Track Result: British Track Championships Results (W)
- British Track Championships: Day 2 Report
- Q&A: Sophie Lankford (Alba Team)
- Team Feature: Sam Watson’s Journey to WorldTour
- News: Rayner Foundation’s Gateway Project
- News: Star Names Sign up for Saint Piran 05/03 Team
- News: 58th Perfs Pedal RR
- Track Result: Premier Division Manchester Track League
- News: GB Team for CX Worlds
- Team News: MAS Design – Fensham Howes Junior Team
- 2022/2023 National Trophy Cyclocross Series Final Standings
- EVENTS: The Peaks 2 Day p/b Giant Sheffield
- TEAM NEWS: Kalas Motip Race Team for 2023
- Team News: Rotor UK Sponsor Team AT85
- CX Result: Leicestershire Cyclo-Cross League Rd 7
- CX Result: Wessex CX League, Rd 12
- CX Result: Eastern Region CX League Rd 10
- Q&A: Vicky Smith (Alba Development Road Team)
- Track Result: First Division Manchester Track League
- Track Result: Premier Division Manchester Track League
- Crit Result: LVYCC Winter Races 1
- British Track Championships Jan 26-29
Other News on VeloUK
- Team Feature: Hutchinson/Brother UK
- Events: Spring MK Bowl Circuit Series
- Events: RCR Fatcreations Road Race
- Team News: DAS Handsling Women’s UCI Team
- News: GB for European Track Championships
- Q&A: Sophie Lankford (Alba Team)
- News: Rayner Foundation’s Gateway Project
- News: Star Names Sign up for Saint Piran 05/03 Team
- News: 58th Perfs Pedal RR
- News: GB Team for CX Worlds
- Team News: MAS Design – Fensham Howes Junior Team
- EVENTS: The Peaks 2 Day p/b Giant Sheffield
- TEAM NEWS: Kalas Motip Race Team for 2023
- Team News: Rotor UK Sponsor Team AT85
- Q&A: Vicky Smith (Alba Development Road Team)
- British Track Championships Jan 26-29
- Event News: Midlands handicap league returns in 2023
- News: Alba DRT Riders Inspired to Step Up
- Race Dates: Track Events 2023
- News: Santini Cycling UK
- News: Wightlink-Wight Mountain CRT Report
- Events: Velo Club St Raphael Time Trial
- Startlist: British Cyclocross Championships 2023
- BRITISH CYCLOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2023
- News: Brother UK Continues to Sponsor Cycling
- Dave Rayner Fund Supported Riders
- Event news: British Team Cup
- National Trophy: Final Round, Cyclopark
- News: Pedal Club December Lunch Report
- Team News: Velo Bavarian Race Team 2023
- 2023 British teams – Richardson’s Trek
- Team News: 26th Year for Arctic-Aircon RT
- Event News: British Masters RR Champs
- News: West Midlands RR Calendar
- Team News: New cycling team in Central Region
- News: UCI World Masters Track Championships
- 2023: National Under 23, Youth & Junior Road Series
- National Trophy Cyclocross Round 5: Startlist
- News: 2023 British National Road Series
- New Bikes! Ribble’s Reynolds 725 (Gravel bike)