More than a Tour of Flanders warm-up – Analysing the contenders at Dwars door Vlaanderen

Dwars door Vlaanderen, the midweek cobbled Classic, is set to feature a star-studded lineup ahead of the Tour of Flanders. Among the prominent names confirmed for Wednesday's race are reigning world champion Lotte Kopecky, Jumbo-Visma's Wout van Aert, SD Worx-Protime leader Demi Vollering, and Alpecin-Deceuninck's Jasper Philipsen. This race, often seen as the final tune-up before De Ronde, promises significant competitive action across both the men's and women's fields.

This year, Dwars door Vlaanderen carries particular weight. For the women, Kopecky and Vollering's participation signals a serious intent to fine-tune their form and test rivals, especially after Vollering's dominant 2023 season and Kopecky's consistent top-tier performances. On the men's side, Van Aert and Philipsen's presence underscores the race's value beyond a mere warm-up, offering a crucial opportunity to gain a psychological edge and assess team dynamics before the monumental challenge of Flanders this Sunday.

With such a high-calibre roster, Dwars door Vlaanderen is less a warm-up and more a dress rehearsal where no one wants to trip on the stage.