The 79th edition of À Travers la Flandre unfolded on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, featuring a challenging 184.2-kilometer course between Roeselare and Waregem. This semi-classic race, often regarded as a precursor to the prestigious Tour des Flandres, showcased the grit and determination of some of cycling's finest talents.
Starting at 12:25 PM, the race kicked off with a relatively flat first 65 kilometers, allowing riders to settle into their rhythm as they passed through towns like Ingelmunster and Berchem. The first significant challenge of the day came at the Volkegemberg, a 1.1-kilometer climb with an average gradient of 4.3%. This ascent marked the beginning of the decisive phase of the race.
As the riders tackled the early obstacles, the atmosphere was electric, with fans lining the roads to cheer on their favorites. Among the contenders were last year's champion Matteo Jorgenson from Visma Lease a Bike, who aimed to defend his title against formidable opponents like Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek).
At the 111-kilometer mark, Alexander Kristoff made a bold move, launching an attack in an attempt to bridge the gap to the leaders. His efforts, however, were met with mixed results as he struggled to keep pace with the front group. Meanwhile, the breakaway group, which had formed earlier in the race, began to establish a more substantial lead.
By the 118-kilometer point, a total of eight riders had broken away from the peloton, including Lewis Askey, Mikkel Bjerg, and Ceriel Desal, who joined forces with Joshua Giddings, Rasmus Pedersen, Fabio Christen, Petr Kelemen, and Taco van der Hoorn. This group managed to open a gap of 45 seconds, prompting a sense of urgency among the chasing peloton.
As the race progressed, the first significant climbs loomed, including the Berg Ten Houte and Knokteberg, both notorious for their steep gradients and challenging cobbled sections. The Berg Ten Houte, in particular, presented a daunting 1-kilometer ascent at an average gradient of 5.3%, which would test the riders' strength and strategy.
At the 143-kilometer mark, Italian champion Alberto Bettiol was forced to abandon the race, a significant blow to his team, XDS Astana. Shortly after, Dutch rider Danny van Poppel also threw in the towel, highlighting the grueling nature of the course.
Despite these setbacks, the pace remained fierce, with the average speed soaring to 46 km/h by the 156-kilometer mark. The breakaway group continued to hold its ground, maintaining a lead of over a minute as they approached the final climbs.
As the riders entered the local circuit around Waregem, the tension mounted. The peloton, now more aggressive, began to close the gap, with Jorgenson and Van Aert (Visma Lease a Bike) positioned strategically at the front. The double ascent of the Nokereberg, a 400-meter climb at 3.3%, was the final hurdle before the finish line, and it was clear that only the strongest would prevail.
With approximately six kilometers remaining, the breakaway's lead began to dwindle as the peloton ramped up its efforts. The final stretch included a challenging 800 meters of cobbles on Herlegemstraat, testing the riders' endurance and bike-handling skills.
As the race neared its conclusion, the atmosphere was palpable with excitement. Fans were on the edge of their seats, eager to see who would cross the finish line first. The finish line was set on the Verbindingsweg in Waregem, where an offensive rider was expected to claim victory.
In the end, the race showcased the essence of Belgian cycling, with its demanding terrain and tactical battles. The 2025 edition of À Travers la Flandre not only served as a critical test ahead of the Tour des Flandres but also solidified its status as a must-watch event in the cycling calendar.
As the dust settled on this year's race, attention now turns to the upcoming Tour des Flandres, where many of the riders will look to build on their performances from À Travers la Flandre. With the stakes higher than ever, fans can expect an exhilarating showdown on April 6, 2025.
