The city of Oudenaarde restored the famous cobblestones on the Koppenberg climb and after the section was inspected by
the race organisers and tested by current and former professional riders like Scott Sunderland, Serge Baquet, Kevin Hulsmans
and Kevin van Impe.
Race organisator Wim van Herreweghe said: "We have made enough agreements with the various parties involved." Van Herreweghe
continued by saying: "They will take care that the Koppenberg will be in a good condition during the Tour of Flanders. This
hill is a monument with a nostalgic atmosphere."
Spectators will be allowed at the climb but the race organisation will take special security measures. The Koppenberg
is the seventh of 17 hills after 195 kilometres and with 69 kilometres to go.
The organisation took out the Kortekeer in favour of the Koppenberg and had to make a slight change in the route. The distance
of the 92nd Tour of Flanders stayed the same (264 kilomteres).
