About 800,000 fans are expected to head out to cheer on the 208 starters – in 26 teams of eight – whatever the conditions. Indeed, the Ronde has always been associated with terrible weather, and the driving rain, wind and hail have been responsible for helping define the race’s identity.

Flemish riders, who have struggled to make their mark in the Tour de France or the Olympics in recent years, are under particular pressure to prove their mettle on home soil. The chances of local success are high: Flanders has claimed six of the last eight victories, with Tom Boonen last year winning his third title. But others are in with a good shot, like two-time winner Stijn Devolder, 2011 champion Nick Nuyens, Stijn Vandenbergh and Dries Devenyns.

Although this is the centenary and is being celebrated with, among other things, a special postage stamp, it is not the 100th race. The First World War broke out in 1914, after two editions of the Tour, and it was not restarted until 1919; so this year is only number 97.

The Ronde was conceived by Karel Van Wijnendaele of the newspaper Sportwereld and was first held on 25 May, 1913. Twenty-seven riders took part in the 330-kilometre race that ran through Sint-Niklaas, Aalst, Oudenaarde, Kortrijk, Veurne, Ostend and Bruges and finished on a wooden track at Mariakerke, now a district of Ghent.

Since then, the Ronde has gone on to become one of the most iconic cycle races in the world and is arguably the highlight of the pro cycling season.

The route has changed many times over the years. All the races began in Ghent until 1976, when Sint-Niklaas took over, followed by Bruges in 1998. Until 1973, most of the finishes were in or around Ghent, before Meerbeke won the honour; last year, Oudenaarde muscled in.

This year’s route takes riders over the Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg three times, but the infamous Muur van Geraardsbergen will be absent for the second year running. From the start at Bruges’ Markt, the route heads in a straight line to Torhout, Ledegem, Wevelgem and Rekkem – this year’s “village of the Tour” – then heads to Avelgem and the Tiegemberg, the first of 17 climbs.

Once they reach the Ardennes, the peloton will face 50km with the Taaienberg, Eikenberg and Molenberg climbs, not to mention some difficult cobblestone stretches. After climbing Berendies and Valkenberg, the riders will be able to catch their breath and prepare for the 37km loop that will take them over the Kwaremont before the Oudenaarde finale.

Expect cheers, tears and some exhausted, muddy riders.

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