Join the 101st Tour of Flanders Bike Race

On Sunday 2 April 2017, the Belgian region of Flanders celebrates the 101st Tour of Flanders or “Ronde van Vlaanderen”. Recognised as the most important of the cycle races of Belgium, it is the region’s biggest cycling race gatherings and comprising 25 teams of 8 riders.

This year’s race circuit includes the famous steep cobbled climbs but for the first time in a number of years, re-introduces the famous “Muur van Geraardsbergen (or Wall of Gramont), a punishing 1,100m precipitous climb which tests the hardiest of cyclists. This year’s race will begin in the city of Antwerp and will finish at its traditional final destination in Oudenaarde. In short, the Tour of Flanders for many enthusiasts is the cornerstone of the international cycling year.

The day before the main race, the public are able to take part in a series of races, with various distances to take part in the increasingly popular Tour of Flanders Sportive. This year’s sportive will attract over 16,000 riders from over 56 different nationalities of which, British riders make up the second largest international entrants, after the Dutch.

Of course, the Tour of Flanders isn’t the only major race in Flanders, there are plenty more. This summer the city of Oudenaarde will host the start of the Transcontinental Race, a gruelling 2,600 mile ultra-endurance cycling race to Meteora in Greece. This year’s race marks the 5th anniversary and one which the town of Oudenaarde has hosted for the last two years, having moved from its original start in London in 2013. With no support vehicles or teams permitted, the race still attracts over 200 riders to the challenge.

In November (15-20 Nov 2017) the indoor track cycling takes centre stage with the Six Days of Ghent. This is an indoor multi-disciplinary event hosted at the 5,000 capacity ‘t Kuipke velodrome in Ghent. Last year, Bradley Wiggins returned to Ghent, (his place of birth) to take part in his last race before retirement. Other personalities attracted to this event include Mark Cavendish and home grown cycling legend Eddy Merckx. The event attracts a sell-out crowd every year and with the Wiggins/Cavendish win last year, is a popular British favourite.

Visiting cycling devotees to Flanders will find it hard to escape the robust cycling culture, surrounding this sport with a selection of cycle bars, hotels and even dedicated beers, it is hard not to notice how seriously this sport is taken in this part of the world. Flanders can even boast three major cycling museums within its ample boundaries and a visit to one of these, is recommended to any avid follower. The conveniently situated Tour of Flanders Centre, in Oudenaarde (Transcontinental starting point and Tour of Flanders finish) offers cycling fans an insight into the history of this iconic cycling race. Following an extensive refurbishment last year, the centre is an interactive museum with a cycling themed bar and brasserie. Its multimedia features allow you to enjoy and appreciate what it is like to ride the cobblestones and participate in Flanders’ most “hallowed” cycling races.

The National Cycling Museum is currently being renovated but in its place is the special “Cycling is a Religion” temporary exhibition at the Paterskerk (Father’s Church) in the town of Roeselare, in West Flanders. Using Christian imagery and religious icons, this unique but “tongue in cheek” exhibition aptly demonstrates the extent of enthusiasm that cycling attracts in Flanders. Some of the amusing exhibits include the church altarpiece displayed by a large cross welded together with cycling material, more entertaining features include a video of Lance Armstrong’s interview with Oprah Winfrey in the confession box.

For enthusiasts of cyclo-cross and mountain biking, visitors are able to visit the recently opened Sven Nys Experience Centre , situated in the town of Tremelo, halfway between Brussels and Antwerp. Created around the legendary cyclo-cross rider, Sven Nys who retired in 2016 after winning a plethora of cyclo-cross races and championships. The centre houses a modern cyclo-cross track for training and an academy for riders. Cyclo-cross riders can also visit the Sven Nys museum which catalogues his prolific wins and life history.

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