1 – Oude Kwaremont

Distance from the finish: 146km
Surface: Cobbles
Length: 2.2km
Average gradient: 4.2 per cent
Maximum gradient: 12 per cent

First included in 1974, the Oude Kwaremont has become an integral part of the Tour of Flanders and is now one of the race’s key climbs.

Oude Kwaremont features three times on the Tour of Flanders route, and, alongside being the first climb the peloton will tackle once again in 2018, it has been the launch pad for plenty of big attacks in the past.

It’s strategic importance was laid bare once again last year, when Philippe Gilbert (QuickStep Floors) attacked on the second ascent of the climb before soloing to victory, while defending champion Peter Sagan’s chase was ended on the third ascent of the climb when he clipped a roadside barrier and crashed.

First time around on Sunday, however, it will likely just be be an early test of the riders’ legs.

4 – Wolvenberg

Distance from the finish: 125km
Surface: Asphalt
Length: 600m
Average gradient: 6.8 per cent
Maximum gradient: 17.3 per cent

One of the lesser known hills in the Flemish Ardennes, the Wolvenberg is short, steep but otherwise unspectacular because of how early it features in the race.

Nevertheless, it does hold some importance with a nasty sting in its tail thanks to the 17.3 per cent gradient and the fact it leads immediately onto the flat cobbled Ruitersstraat sector.

5 – Leberg

Distance from the finish: 116km
Surface: Asphalt
Length: 700m
Average gradient: 6.1 per cent
Maximum gradient: 14 per cent

The Leberg is a regular across the Flemish Classics, and peaking at 99m is actually one of the highest hills in the region.

It starts tough, with the maximum 14 per cent gradient coming on a right-hand bend shortly after the riders hit the paved ascent, but it eases out towards the summit where exposed roads mean wind is a bigger issue than gradient.

8 – Muur van Geraardsbergen

Distance from the finish: 97km
Surface: Cobbles
Length: 1km
Average gradient: 9.2 per cent
Maximum gradient: 19.8 per cent

The Muur has played host to some of the most iconic moments in Tour of Flanders history, with the steep, twisting cobbled climb previously the penultimate climb of the race and therefore the platform for many a race-winning attack.

It returned to the route last year, and though not expected to be as strategically important it was still the scene of the first major selection to shake up the general classification.

With the gradient reaching 20 per cent in parts it is a chance to up the ante and trim the leading group down a little. Expect to see plenty of fans lining the iconic climb.

9 – Pottelberg

Distance from the finish: 78km
Surface: Asphalt
Length: 1.3km
Average gradient: 6.5 per cent
Maximum gradient: 8 per cent

Last year’s revised route meant a new paved climb to tackle, with the Pottelberg the longest of the fully asphalted climbs on the route.

An average gradient of 6.5 per cent should not trouble the leading group, however, particularly after a good 19km to spin the legs out and recover from the Muur.

10 – Kanarieberg

Distance from the finish: 70.5km
Surface: Asphalt
Length: 1km
Average gradient: 7.7 per cent
Maximum gradient: 14 per cent

Another relatively new addition to the race, 2018 will be just the fifth time ‘Canary Hill’ has featured in the Tour of Flanders.

The last of several paved climbs packed into the route, the road starts at a gentle gradient but winds its way up and gets steeper towards the summit.

After the detour to the Muur, Kanarieberg marks the point where the route matches back up with that used in the 2016 race.

13 – Koppenberg

Distance from the finish: 46km
Surface: Cobbles
Length: 600m
Average gradient: 11.6 per cent
Maximum gradient: 22 per cent

Mention the climbs of the Tour of Flanders, and the Koppenberg will be the first many people think of – and for good reason.

The steepest of the race’s climbs, with an maximum gradient of 22 per cent, the unforgiving cobbled climb has been known to make even the hardiest of riders get off and push.

Since the race route was re-worked in 2012, the climb is more importantly strategically too, coming much closer to the finish than in the past.

14 – Steenbeekdries

Distance from the finish: 41km
Surface: Cobbles
Length: 820m
Average gradient: 7.6 per cent
Maximum gradient: 12.8 per cent

Steenbeekdries is next up after the Koppenberg, with the cobbles coming thick and fast on this part of the second circuit.

Immediately before the 800m climb is a 2km stretch of cobbles on the Mariaborrestraat, before the climb kicks up at an average gradient of 7.6 per cent.

15 – Taaienberg

Distance from the finish: 38km
Surface: Cobbles
Length: 800m
Average gradient: 7.1 per cent
Maximum gradient: 18 per cent

Locals have become rather fond of the Taaienberg thanks to Tom Boonen’s exploits on its cobbles in recent years.

At E3 Harelbeke it was the climb on which he broke clear for four of his five career victories and he made a habit of accelerating on the ascent at Flanders too.

And his former team-mates at QuickStep Floors look to be keen to replicate Boonen’s successes – this year, at E3 Harelbeke, Niki Terpstra and Yves Lampaert opened a gap on the climb before the former ultimately went on to claim a solo victory.

And with Boonen Hill much closer to the finish, there will be no shortage of big-name riders looking to replicate his feats at this year’s Tour of Flanders. Look out for QuickStep Floors in particular on the ascent, if they don’t already have somebody up the road.

18 – Paterberg (second ascent)

Distance from the finish: 14km
Surface: Cobbles
Length: 400m
Average gradient: 12.5 per cent
Maximum gradient: 20 per cent

Any attack on Oude Kwaremont must be consolidated on the Paterberg – as proved by 2016 winner, world champion Peter Sagan.

Hitting the climb with only Sep Vanmarcke for company, Sagan dropped the hammer on the ascent and bolted clear of his rivals to claim victory – in doing so, banishing the memory of 2013 when Fabian Cancellara did the same to him.

The old adage of ‘you can’t win the race here, but you can lose it’ rings true for many of the Tour of Flanders’ cobbled climbs, but the Paterberg is different. This is the one. Lead over the top of the cobbled climb and you have just 14km between you and a Monument win.