Inside the Tour of Flanders

Submitted by: Frank Stefan Kimmel, Serotta Germany

Think of bad roads. I mean cobblestones and mud. Think of 260 km of importance for everyone in Belgium. Think of Eddy Merckx, Johan Museeuw or Tom Boonen. Think of trappist beer that you better drink like wine and imagine soft but steep hills in a quiet landscape. These are the landmarks for a very special weekend of cycling experience around the Tour of Flanders – a classic one day race and for sure one of the toughest for the Pros beneath Paris-Roubaix.

I had the pleasure to spend some quality time together with a couple of friends and Serotta aficionados near the city of Gent.

Our first stop is the dedicated museum for the Ronde van Vlaanderen as they call it. Want to encounter the long history of the race, want to see the bike Eddy Merckx has ridden in 1969, want to drink regional beer while sitting on a huge wooden table that looks like a giant wheel and see the highlights from the last races on a big flatscreen? Want to see Johan Museeuw reading the newspapers? This is the place to go.

3 times custom pleasure

Although German I have to admit that I’m into Belgium beer

Freddy Maertens (world champion 1976 and 1981, winner of 15 stages at the Tour de France, winner of Vuelta and Paris-Nizza in 1977) is impressed with our Serotta’s...

Two Legends

We hop back on our bikes and enjoy the smooth ride we have even on these rugged roads. Happy we all have ST seat stays to filter out whatever is possible. Next stop is Koppenberg. Legendary hill; 3 minutes to make your heart go up to the maximum while climbing up to 22% on cobblestones. This is where Eddy Merckx once shouldered his bike. You get the idea.

I enjoy the benefit of a modern compact drive and the lack of 220 km of exhausting pro race speed in my legs. Tomorrow this will be one of the most crowded places but even today we are not alone on the bike; over 15,000 serious cyclists are on the course.

I really can understand why Cross race is so popular here. If you are into smooth asphalt - look somewhere else. If you rely on nice weather and mild temperatures during most of the year - go to California. But if tricky roads are a challenge for you and if you’re longing for a unique countryside and cycling companions on the road – this might be your place. And did you know that french fries where invented here (they are double fried) and the chocolate isn’t bad either? I digress….

Today is the day. After a short breakfast we’re heading out for a 3 hour ride so we later can enjoy sandwiches (and beer) while watching the race on TV even more. Luckily we’re only 1 mile away from the course and the whole family we’re staying with, including grandma and babies are gathering at the nearby corner waiting for the peleton to arrive.

Next day. Time for checking out where to mix with the locals to watch to pros at work for real.



Fast, colorful, helicopter and team cars. You get what you expect.
Who won this year? Look it up. Guess what, it’s a Belgian but on a race like this every Pro Cyclist to me is a winner.