Tadej Pogačar appeared to play mind games with rivals and perhaps hinted at his Tour of Flanders tactics by blasting up the Oude Kwaremont climb at a reported 40kph during a final reconnaissance ride on Friday.
A number of leading men's and women's teams carried out a final recon ride on the Tour of Flanders route Friday, enjoying the warm and sunny weather that is expected to continue during the weekend but Pogcar stole the limelight with his huge effort. The spring-like conditions are expected to inspire fast races, though crosswinds from the east of up to 30kph could also be a key factor.
