Tour of Flanders 2020
Posted
Latest News from the Race
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10 riders to watch at the 2020 men's Tour of Flanders
Alaphilippe, Van Aert, Van der Poel and more -
Vanmarcke focused on remaining cobbled Classics after Paris-Roubaix cancellation
'I've never lost my morale during this difficult season' -
Julian Alaphilippe: Don't call me a favourite for Tour of Flanders
Frenchman plays down expectations ahead of Ronde debut
Alpecin-Fenix's Mathieu van der Poel won the 2020 Tour of Flanders by just a quarter of a wheel-length from Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) in what was a thrilling finale. It nevertheless left many wondering what might have been if road race world champion Julian Alaphilippe (Elegant-QuickStep) hadn't crashed out while part of a leading trio with the winning duo.
What became the winning move came together on the climb of the Taaienberg with just under 40 kilometres to go, when Van Aert got across to join Van der Poel and Alaphilippe. The Frenchman had instigated the move by attacking on the previous climb – the Steenbeekdries – and was soon joined by Van der Poel on the descent, while Van Aert had to work a little harder to get across.
It was a dream scenario for the three pre-race favourites – and for fans and the race organisers alike – but it soon became a nightmare for Alaphilippe, who clipped a slowing race motorbike, seemingly having turned his head slightly away while at the back of the trio to talk into his radio, while the more attentive Van Aert and then Van der Poel simply flicked around it.
Three became two, and Van Aert and Van der Poel continued their collaboration into the final 500 metres – as Van der Poel had said they would if it came to it, despite a war of words between them following the previous weekend's Gent-Wevelgem, where they had marked each other out of contention.
On paper the faster sprinter, Van Art managed to manoeuvre Van der Poel into first position – just where he wanted him – and with the chasing group bearing down on them, Van Aert waited until 200 metres to go to start his sprint, with Van der Poel almost instantaneously reacting, in a visibly much lower gear, which he wound up to stay slightly ahead of his Belgian rival all the way to the line.
The result nevertheless required a photo finish, which went in favour of Van der Poel, with Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) completing the podium by leading the chasers home in Oudenaarde, eight seconds down.
# | Rider Name (Country) Team | Result |
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1 | Mathieu Van der Poel (Ned) Alpecin-Fenix | 5:43:17 |
2 | Wout van Aert (Bel) Team Jumbo-Visma | |
3 | Alexander Kristoff (Nor) UAE Team Emirates | 0:00:08 |
4 | Anthony Turgis (Fra) Total Direct Energie | |
5 | Yves Lampaert (Bel) Elegant-Quickstep | |
6 | Dimitri Claeys (Bel) Cofidis | |
7 | Oliver Naesen (Bel) AG2R la Mondiale | |
8 | Dylan Van Baarle (Ned) Ineos Grenadiers | |
9 | John Degenkolb (Ger) Lotto Soudal | |
10 | Tiesj Benoot (Bel) Team Sunweb |
Stages
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Tour of Flanders 202018 October 2020 | Antwerp | WorldTour
Latest Content on the Race

10 riders to watch at the 2020 men's Tour of Flanders
By Patrick Fletcher
Feature Alaphilippe, Van Aert, Van der Poel and more

Vanmarcke focused on remaining cobbled Classics after Paris-Roubaix cancellation
By Cyclingnews
News 'I've never lost my morale during this difficult season'

Julian Alaphilippe: Don't call me a favourite for Tour of Flanders
By Cyclingnews
News Frenchman plays down expectations ahead of Ronde debut

Tour of Flanders and Gent-Wevelgem take further steps to minimise coronavirus risk
By Cyclingnews
News No spectators on cobbled climbs or at start and finish areas, start of Flanders moved to Antwerp's Steenplein and Gent-Wevelgem start to Ypres' Menin Gate

Gilbert to miss cobbled Classics due to worsening knee pain
By Cyclingnews
News Lotto Soudal rider hopes to start the Vuelta a España despite minor fracture

No Tour for Lampaert but 'spring' Classics remain goal following collarbone break
By Cyclingnews
News Belgian rider crashed in finale of Milano-Torino but expects to return to peloton 'within four-to-five weeks'

Julian Alaphilippe: Confidence comes with hard work
By Cyclingnews
News 'I don't have any particular plans for the Tour de France' admits Deceuninck-QuickStep leader
Top News on the Race
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No Tour for Lampaert but 'spring' Classics remain goal following collarbone break
Belgian rider crashed in finale of Milano-Torino but expects to return to peloton 'within four-to-five weeks' -
Julian Alaphilippe: Confidence comes with hard work
'I don't have any particular plans for the Tour de France' admits Deceuninck-QuickStep leader -
Tom Boonen: This is the year to try a shorter Tour of Flanders
Three-time winner disappointed at absence of Muur but says shorter race could be future of the Ronde
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Flemish Classics reduced in length to help riders race intense October campaign
Muur van Geraardsbergen cut from Tour of Flanders, race distances reduced -
1952 Tour of Flanders winner Roger Decock dies aged 93
Belgian came to aid of fallen Wim van Est on Aubisque in 1951 Tour de France -
'I believe that I can win a Monument' says Wout van Aert
Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix on Belgian's wish list
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Flanders Classics welcomes new calendar but warns dates remain provisional
Tour of Flanders rescheduled for October 18, while Gent-Wevelgem will not cross into France -
September 19 date for Tour of Flanders needs UCI approval, says Flanders Classics
Primus Classic offers up its pre-Worlds calendar slot to the Ronde -
Van Avermaet: I don't have many chances left to win the real Tour of Flanders
Belgian keen to race Monuments in the autumn
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