It is not the first time Fabian Cancellara will return to Flanders after his three successes in “De Ronde”. The Swiss rider went back multiple times, but this year will be special. For the first time in its short history, Tudor Pro Cycling will be on the start line, something that the team owner is particularly proud of.
29.03.2024
With three wins in 2010, 2013 and 2014, Fabian Cancellara is one of the recordholders of the Tour of Flanders. In modern cycling, only two other riders managed such an achievement: Belgian riders Tom Boonen and Johan Museeuw. Since then, Fabian enjoys an incredible level of popularity in Belgium and is always welcome as a living legend there. The love story is mutual: “De Ronde is a Monument among the Monuments. The cobbles, the climbs, the people, the passion, Belgium... There is a special connection between cycling and Belgium. De Ronde is not Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, it is not E3 or Gent-Wevelgem. It is not Paris-Roubaix, it is Ronde Van Vlaanderen and everything is bigger there.”
Fabian will return this week, and this time will for sure have a special taste: “Being there as a rider is special, being there as a spectator is special, being there with the Team will be even more special. I am extremely proud and excited about the weekend.”
Next Sunday will be a first time for a few of the Tudor Pro Cycling riders and staff. They will for sure value the experience of the team owner: “We talked a lot about it last weekend while the team was racing E3 and Gent-Wevelgem. For the riders, it should remain a race as any other race, even if it is not really the case. I will also remind them that they should enjoy it!”
When asked about the team’s plan, Fabian is clear: “I have no say in the race tactics. We have two experienced DSs for that - Bart Leysen and Marcel Sieberg - but I would be very happy if the plan they have in mind is perfectly executed. If we get a top 10, that would be amazing. But again, it is our first participation and the most important is, that each of the riders plays his role, whether he rides 90km or 250km.”
In any case, the team knows that they can count on his full support: “I will be there for them from Friday to Sunday until the start and then I will enjoy the race.”