📸 Photos recon Tour of Flanders: not only the cyclists need to dismount at the Koppenberg!

Sunday is the time for the Mother of all races: the Tour of Flanders. The Flemish are obviously a bit glum due to the loss of Wout van Aert, but will once again be numerous along the most famous slopes and cobbled sections during the High Mass of Flemish cycling. Our house photographer Sirotti was on hand Thursday during the reconnaissance of several teams.

The dizzying data of the Koppenberg

We took up position on the Koppenberg, the mythical 550-meter cobblestone hill with an average gradient of 11 percent. Some sections reach up to 22 percent, compelling several riders to abandon the race.

Alexander Kristoff is sidelined

Good thing we can once again admire Alexander Kristoff on the Flemish roads. The Norwegian bear and former winner of the Ronde was absent from Gent-Wevelgem on Sunday due to illness.

Stefan Kung tests the legs

Stefan Küng tests his legs once on the Koppenberg. In the background, we see a cycling tourist, struggling with the steep gradient.

Trentin pulls through

Matteo Trentin accelerates on the Koppenberg, with Tudor teammate Marius Mayrhofer following closely.

Petit and Page take it easy

Adrien Petit and Hugo Page are taking it easy on behalf of Intermarché-Wanty.

The Koppenberg is a regular feature of the Ronde

The foot of the Koppenberg, a place every racer doesn't really look forward to.

Things aren't going very well with the cycling tourists either

This brave cyclist tries to tame the "hump of Melden," but will also later dismount.

Longo Borghini keeps teammates behind him

Elisa Longo Borghini, an elderly Italian, is part of the strong Lidl-Trek team. In the background, her teammates are already struggling.

Astana Qazaqstan enjoys sunshine

Astana Qazaqstan also came darting across the cobblestones in the sun. In the background, one of the men from the Kazakh squad pulls away again.

Valentin Madouas

Valentin Madouas is one of many dark horses for Sunday.