Today the course for the 2015 Tour of Flanders was announced, with the major news being the addition of the Tiegemberg and Berendries hellingen to the 2014 route. The 99th edition of De Ronde will have 19 climbs instead of the 17 that featured in last year's race. Like last year, the Koppenberg will signal the start of the finale.

Next year the Tour of Flanders will take place on Sunday, April 5. As per tradition, the race will start in Bruges and after a passage through the center of Kortrijk, the race will travel towards the Flemish Ardennes.

After 100 kilometers follows the first passage through Oudenaarde. "Ove the years, the capital of the Flemish Ardennes has proven its value as a place to finish the race," said the organizers.

"Last year the revised course trail made for a captivating race . The long flat stretches in the last 100 kilometers were removed.

"In the last 150 kilometers there was a maximum of 12km between the cobblestones and the hellingen, making it difficult to control the race. We will continue along these lines. The pace of the last 150 kilometers remains the same."

Compared to last year there will be two extra climb. After 87km, the Tiegemberg will test the riders and is the first climb of the day.

After a two-year absence, the Berendries will make its comeback as climb number 8 and will be placed between the Leberg and the Valkenberg.

Like last year, the Koppenberg will signal the start of the finale. From there, 45km remain. After the Koppenberg, the riders will tackle Steenbeekdries (39km), Taaienberg (37km), Kruisberg (28km) Oude Kwaremont (17km) and Paterberg (13 km).

"Hopefully the rapid succession of climbs will again create fireworks. Every climb could be the decisive point in this edition."

As it has been the case for the past few years, the three passages of the Oude Kwaremont and the two passages of the Paterberg will again be the focus of De Ronde. Oude Kwaremont will be the second climb of the day after 112km and will be tackled again after 210km and as the penultimate climb after 243km. The Paterberg is climbed twice. It is the 13th climb after 208km and the 19th and final helling 13km from the finish.

Next year there will again be five public villages on the Oude Kwaremont, Paterberg, Kruisberg, Koppenberg and at the finish in Oudenaarde. "We want to help the fans with shuttle services, screens, adequate sanitation and catering," said Flanders Classics.

Zwevegem has been chosen as "Village of De Ronde 2015". The choice for the West Flemish town is a tribute to Marcel Kint, nicknamed the "Black Eagle". Kint won the Tour of Flanders in 1935, exactly 80 years ago. In 1938, Kint was world champion in Valkenburg and due to World War II he was allowed to wear the rainbow jersey for 8 years.