The 2009 Tour of Flanders includes 16 nasty climbs, sections of pave, wind and totally unpredictable weather. They are the perfect ingredients for one of cycling's truly great races, one of the five so-called monuments of the sport.

It is a hard race for true men and team representatives expect Barloworld to be part of the decisive action. The riders know they need to ride aggressively and with clear tactics and intelligence - and they are ready to perform.
 
Team Barloworld is in Belgium after taking part in the 2009 Three Days of De Panne, the key warm-up race for tomorrow's Tour of Flanders (260 km). Valerio Tebaldi will be in the red team car and Team Manager Claudio Corti has selected Robert Hunter, Daryl Impey, Steve Cummings, Patrick Calcagni, Diego Caccia and Carlo Scognamiglio as the team's riders for the Tour of Flanders. Unfortunately Michele Merlo will not be able to ride after hurting his right shoulder in a crash during De Panne.

South African sprinter Robbie Hunter will lead the team and the team management find that he always performs well in Belgium and on the pavès. He will have excellent support from Cummings, who has the engine needed to perform well in a major classics like the Tour of Flanders.

Huge crowds are expected to line the route, especially on the key climbs of Kluisberg and Bosberg.