Conquering the Cobbles: CANYON//SRAM Racing’s Quest for Victory at Flanders

Belgium gears up for a thrilling cycling showdown on Sunday, 31 March, as the country holds its breath to witness the battle on the cobbles of Ronde van Vlaanderen. The formidable squad of CANYON//SRAM Racing, consisting of Elise Chabbey, Tiffany Cromwell, Chloé Dygert, Kasia Niewiadoma, Soraya Paladin, and Alice Towers, is ready to take on the challenge.

Described as one of the most prestigious victories on the Women’s World Tour calendar, the 163km race presents a grueling course with seven cobblestone sectors, five asphalt sections, and seven cobbled climbs that will test the riders to their limits. The addition of the demanding Kappelleberg climb this year, followed by a series of other challenging ascents, promises a thrilling and intense finale in Oudenaarde.

Kasia Niewiadoma highlighted the significance of the race, stating, “Flanders is one of the few monuments on the women’s calendar with a long history. That makes the race iconic and unique for the riders competing and the spectators watching.” The race’s demanding nature, combined with the festive atmosphere surrounding Easter weekend celebrations, adds to the excitement for both participants and fans.

With a strong desire to clinch victory, Niewiadoma expressed the team’s ambition, saying, “Our team has never won this race before, and it’s something we’re after. We want to win Flanders. It would be a fantastic way to say a big thank you to all of our supporters and team partners.”

Elise Chabbey echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of Flanders and Paris Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift as major cobbled classics. She noted, “There is always a fantastic atmosphere, and winning it with our team would be a great achievement.” The disappointment from the previous race at Gent Wevelgem has only fueled the team’s determination to perform at their best during the upcoming challenge.

Tiffany Cromwell acknowledged the need for a strong team dynamic, stating, “Our squad has a lot of experience and several cards to play. We are motivated to avoid repeating our mistakes. We can bring home the win when we have our best race. I’m confident we can.”

Cycling enthusiasts eager to witness the epic battle at Ronde van Vlaanderen can catch the action as it unfolds. The race begins at 13:25 CET on March 31, with live coverage available on various platforms including RTBF, VRT, France Télévisions, RAI, L’Equipe, and Eurosport/Discovery, among others. Stay tuned for a thrilling display of endurance, skill, and determination as the riders tackle the challenging terrain in pursuit of victory.