Sprinters get ready for a flat and windy Scheldeprijs 

The fast man are gearing up for the unofficial World Championship for sprinters after the Tour of Flanders

It's the oldest road race in Flanders, started in 1907 with a start and finish in Antwerp, notably six years older than the Tour of Flanders monument. The race did not leave the borders of the Netherlands until a route change in 2018, which included roads in Belgium.

laces such as Hoogerheide and Essen, among others, will then be on the route. After that, the riders will certainly cross into Belgian territory, reaching the local lap of 17 kilometers after 140 kilometers of racing. It's on this lap that the pace is expected to ramp up, favoring the fast men who can hold on until Schoten.

Chances are high that we'll witness another fierce sprint in Schoten. However, there's another factor that could potentially shake things up: the wind. 

Since 2005, sprinters have dominated each edition of the race, with Marcel Kittel winning five times and two wins apiece going to Alexander Kristoff, Fabio Jakobsen, and Jasper Philipsen.

Mark Cavendish (Astana Qazaqstan Team), who has won the race three times in the past (in 2007, 2008, and 2011) and finished third last year, is still uncertain as of today. If the Briton is fit enough to participate in the Scheldeprijs for the ninth and final time, he will wear bib number 111 on April 3rd in honour of his three victories.