Tour of Flanders 2016: Favourites

The Tour of Flanders certainly is high on the bucket list of every Classics specialist. Hills, cobbles, twisting & turning, that's what it's all about if Flanders' Finest. Tom Boonen and Fabian Cancellara each have three wins under their belt, are the Old Masters capable to do it again? Cyclingstage.com brings you the major contenders to win the 2016 Tour of Flanders. (Slideshow route/profile)

Last edition, Kristoff bested Niki Terpstra in a sprint-a-deux. The fast Norwegian is on the start list in 2016 again, just as Terpstra. In fact, all specialist are there. For instance, multiple winners Cancellara and Boonen who were absent due to injuries in 2015. How is the form of the Old Masters? If they want to win their favourite race again, this could be the occasion. Altough he had some setbacks Cancellara shows great form this spring. For instance by winning Strade Bianche.

Etixx brings a string squad, not only with Boonen and Terpstra but with last year’s Strade Bianche-winner Zdenek Stybar also. Speaking of strong squads: Sky brings Kwiatkowski, Stannard and Thomas to the table. Kwiat is full of confidence after winning E3 Harelbeke last week, while the same goes for Peter Sagan after snatching Gent-Wevelgem.

All in all, the 2016 Tour of Flanders should be a thrilling edition boasting an impressive list of favourites and darks horses.

Favourites Tour of Flanders 2016:

*** Fabian Cancellara, Sep Vanmarcke, Peter Sagan
** Michal Kwiatkowski, Greg Van Avermaet, Alexander Kristoff, Geraint Thomas
* Ian Stannard, Tom Boonen, Edvald Boasson Hagen, Niki Terpstra