It is important to be creative and inventive in these corona times. Belgium has basically shut down the entire society and you are not allowed to ride in groups. It makes a traditional race over 267 km from Antwerp to Oudenaard with a large starting field impossible to complete.

Instead, 13 professionals have been invited instead to complete the last 32 km from home on specially designed test bikes. They have the track in front of them on a television screen and through advanced technology, paving stones and uphill slopes have been simulated into the bike to provide the right resistance. See what it looks like here.

- The conditions in Flanders around will be so faithfully reproduced that it will be a tough race, says one of the rising stars Remco Evenepoel to the AP.

20-year-old Evenepoel won five races during his rookie year last season and will make a remarkable debut in the race.

- I guess I will be the first rider in the history of the race to make a debut in this way on a smart test cycle. Although it sounds strange, I look forward to it.

The race will be live streamed with a commentary duo and fans can sit at home and follow the race.

"It is a difficult time for all of us and I hope this project gives some hope to the fans in Belgium and the rest of the world," says Yves Lampaert, who is a boyfriend with Evenepoel.

The race has been held with a break for the World War since 1913.

SEE MORE: Here, the MotoGP drivers compete from the TV couch

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