The cobblestone classics are known for their brutal honesty, and recent races in Belgium are suggesting a shift in how those races are contested. Following the thrilling E3 Saxo Classic, In Flanders Fields delivered another captivating finish, with Jasper Philipsen taking the victory. But commentators Karl Vannieuwkerke and José De Cauwer weren’t focused solely on the sprint; they were observing a potentially fundamental change in strategy. A willingness to collaborate, to ride *with* rather than against each other, is beginning to reshape the dynamics of these iconic races.
“What we’ve seen is how these races should be ridden,” Vannieuwkerke observed. The In Flanders Fields race unfolded at a blistering pace, averaging 46.9 km/h, a testament to the aggressive racing style. De Cauwer highlighted the strength of the front group, singling out Florian Vermeersch alongside Wout van Aert, who was demonstrating strong form after his performance in Sanremo. The race wasn’t just about individual power, but about how riders responded to each other.
On the final ascent of the Kemmelberg, Van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel had established a significant lead – a full minute – over the chasing pack. However, as Vannieuwkerke pointed out, even that advantage wasn’t enough to secure victory. “That gap wasn’t sufficient, despite the tailwind,” he explained. The key takeaway, according to De Cauwer, was the resurgence of teamwork. “What we haven’t seen much of in recent years is cooperation within the peloton to win the race.”
This shift was particularly noticeable in contrast to the E3 Saxo Classic, where a lack of collaboration ultimately cost Decathlon CMA CGM the win. Other teams, De Cauwer noted, realized their mistake and adjusted their tactics accordingly. “And that’s what we’re seeing now.”
A Turning Point in Tactics?
Vannieuwkerke posed a critical question: “Can what happened on Friday [at the E3 Saxo Classic] lead to a change in mindset? Previously, there was always a feeling that one of the big names was almost impossible to catch if they got away.” The E3 saw a dramatic reversal of that assumption. “Friday proved that they are human too, even if they develop incredible wattage,” he continued. “If you can organize yourselves, you can hurt them.”
De Cauwer echoed this sentiment, stating, “Cooperation on the bike is the key word. The team cars have finally understood that. Not the peloton, but the team directors. It’s possible.” He added, with a touch of surprise, “We were all amazed on Friday by what we saw. Van der Poel was overtaken – I call it that anyway. That doesn’t happen anymore!”
The question now is whether this new dynamic will extend to riders like Tadej Pogačar. But, as Vannieuwkerke emphasized, “What we’ve seen is how these races should be ridden.”
Course Profile and Team Strength
The suitability of the course plays a crucial role in enabling this kind of collaborative racing. “The profile of the race determines whether that’s possible,” Vannieuwkerke explained. “The E3 lent itself to it, as did this race. The Tour of Flanders is a different story.” The more challenging and fragmented terrain seems to encourage, or at least allow for, more organized chasing.
De Cauwer added another layer of complexity: “It also depends on who’s there. If you don’t have a Jordi Meeus or a Tobias Lund Andresen, you can’t come back. It depends on who’s in the race and what you have available.” He pointed to Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, who he felt were riding well as a team but ultimately didn’t receive the reward. Meeus’s mishap in the sprint – unclipped from his pedals – further hampered their chances.
However, De Cauwer dismissed the incident as simply subpar luck. “You can’t take that into account. The peloton raced as it should: strongly together, trying to catch those strong riders.”
Looking Ahead to Dwars door Vlaanderen and the Ronde
The discussion then turned to the upcoming races, starting with Dwars door Vlaanderen on Wednesday. De Cauwer questioned whether Van Aert and Van der Poel should have waited for Florian Vermeersch, a point of tactical debate. “I don’t know. Should Alec Segaert have done something different?” Vannieuwkerke suggested Segaert was caught between ambitions: “He was torn between a great podium finish and the potential for a win if he attacked.”
Van der Poel, according to De Cauwer, had stated he wasn’t fully committed to the chase, citing fatigue. “Well, I didn’t see much of that,” De Cauwer remarked, adding that Jasper Philipsen also rode a strong race. Vannieuwkerke noted Van der Poel’s aggressive tactics – “Mathieu went deep twice” – and Van Aert’s good form in Sanremo and Wevelgem. “If supercompensation kicks in, we might have a particularly exciting Tour of Flanders.” De Cauwer, however, remained skeptical: “Are we dreaming of a finale with those three? Most dreams are illusions.”
The conversation concluded with a look ahead to Dwars door Vlaanderen and whether Van Aert could redeem himself after a disappointing performance last year. De Cauwer, however, didn’t believe redemption was necessary.
The emerging trend of collaborative racing, highlighted by the recent Classics, suggests a potential shift in the power dynamics of professional cycling. While individual brilliance remains crucial, the ability of teams to work together and exploit vulnerabilities is becoming increasingly important. Whether this trend will continue in the more demanding terrain of the Tour of Flanders remains to be seen, but the seeds of change have been sown. Fans can follow updates and results on the official Tour of Flanders website: https://www.rondevlaanderen.be/en/
What do you feel? Is this a genuine shift in tactics, or a temporary anomaly? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and please share this article with fellow cycling enthusiasts.
