The route for the Dwars door Vlaanderen semi-Classic will be very similar to that of 2016. But a small detail could make all the difference. 

To encourage the attackers, the organizers of the event – which has been promoted to the WorldTour – have decided to add an extra difficulty, an extra cobbled section which will be tackled after Nokereberg which was previously the last challenge before the finish in Waregem. Instead of turning left to go to the finish, the peloton will continue straight to the Holstraat and then reach an 800m pave sector located close to the Kruishoutem on Herlegemstraat. From there, the riders will head to Waregem, five kilometers away, after a section on wider roads that are less favorable to the attackers. 

This year Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) was caught close to the finish after an attack on the descent of Nokereberg.