Race analysis, favourites, and predictions for Duracell Dwars door het Hageland 2025

Cobblestones are undoubtedly Belgium's trademark as a cycling nation, but some races break the mold to offer something different. Such is the case of the Duracell Dwars door het Hageland next Saturday, which since 2016 has made dirt roads its hallmark.

 
Route

Inspired by the success of Italy’s Strade Bianche, the race mostly takes place on a local circuit that includes several sterrato sections and the cobbled climb to the citadel of Diest (0.5 km at 3.9%), where the finish line is located. In total, the race covers 179 km, 1300 meters of elevation gain, and around 40 km of dirt roads.

 
Favorites

Quinten Hermans (400), Jonas Abrahamsen (600), Tibor Del Grosso (200), Mathew Brennan (200), Milan Menten (400), Paul Magnier (400), Milan Fretin (400), Luca Mozzato (400), Hartthijs De Vries (200), Rasmus Tiller (200), Stanislaw Aniolkowski (400), Dries Van Gestel (200), and Florian Sénéchal (200) are some riders who could perform well in this race.

 
Photo: © Duracell Dwars door het Hageland