Antwerp hosted the start of the race on its central Market Square for the first time.The first lap of the circuit (in red) and transition to the second lap (in green).The second lap of the circuit (in red) and the final 16.1-kilometre (10.0 mi) element of the race (in green).
The city of Antwerp staged the start of the event for the first time, after 19 starts in Bruges, marking the first time the Tour of Flanders addressed the province of Antwerp.[5] The race finished in Oudenaarde for a total distance of 260.8 kilometres (162.1 mi) and saw the renewed inclusion of the Muur van Geraardsbergen, one of the emblematic climbs of the race.[5][6]
The first 116 kilometres (72 mi) of the race are on all-flat roads from Antwerp via Sint-Niklaas, Dendermonde, Aalst and Zottegem towards Oudenaarde, where the race passes for the first time after 101 kilometres (63 mi); before addressing the first of 18 climbs, the Oude Kwaremont after 116 kilometres (72 mi).[6] The Oude Kwaremont, which has been the focal point of the Ronde in the last few years, appears three times on the route and its last two appearances are paired with the Paterberg three kilometres later.[7] The Muur van Geraardsbergen is the ninth categorised climb at 95 kilometres (59 mi) from the finish.
The final 75 kilometres (47 mi) were identical to previous editions.[7] Of the final nine climbs, first was the Kanarieberg, then the first combination of Oude Kwaremont–Paterberg, followed just 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) later by the roughly-cobbled Koppenberg, the steepest climb of the race. The Koppenberg was immediately followed by the flat cobbled sector of the Mariaborrestraat, leading to the Steenbeekdries and Taaienberg climbs. The Kruisberg in Ronse came at 26 kilometres (16 mi) from the finish, before heading to the final two climbs.[6] The second pairing of Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg represented the end game of the race, preceding the 13.2-kilometre (8.2 mi) run-in to the finish.
Categorised climbs and cobbles
The Muur van Geraardsbergen, with gradients touching 20%, is re-included in the course after a five-year absence.The Paterberg in Kluisbergen is the last climb of the race with just a 13.2-kilometre (8.2 mi) run-in remaining to Oudenaarde.The Haaghoek road is the penultimate flat cobbled sector of the race, 117.4 kilometres (72.9 miles) from the finish.
Eighteen categorised climbs are programmed, of which 12 are cobbled. In addition to the climbs, five sectors of flat cobbled roads are included.
Climbs and cobbled sections in the 2017 Tour of Flanders
25 teams competed in the race. The 18 UCI WorldTeams were automatically invited and obliged to participate in the race,[8] while an additional seven Professional Continental teams were given wildcard entries, when these were announced on 28 February 2017.[9]Jens Keukeleire of Orica–Scott pulled out of the race on the morning of the start,[10] making a total peloton of 199 riders.[11]
