A typically Flandrian experience on the Tour of Flanders weekend

At Sportful’s initiative, I was able to spend three days at the heart of one of the most famous “cycling stadiums” in the world: Flanders. Three days, three atmospheres, three different cycling practices, but always in a climate of popular jubilation that largely made up for a winter offensive bringing a little snow and freezing temperatures for an early April start to the “sportive”.

Text: Olivier Dulaurent – Photos: ©Sportful, ©AG2R Citroën, Facebook Ronde van Vlaanderen

What could be more natural than to see the names Sportful and the Tour of Flanders associated. Indeed, the Italian company has developed a whole range of products called Fiandre (for “Flanders”, in Italian). As its name suggests, Fiandre clothing is intended for a more athletic than contemplative practice and for difficult weather conditions: rain or even snow, wind, all combined with not always mild temperatures, typical of the conditions observed during the period of the Flemish classics ranging from Het Nieuwsblad at the end of February to Paris-Roubaix, traditionally the second Sunday of April but postponed by a week this year due to presidential elections in France.

While the French classic is sometimes nicknamed “the Queen of the Classics” – especially in France, traditional chauvinism obliges – it is Belgian Flanders that concentrates almost all the events, in a very small geographical area, and culminates in its Tour of Flanders, classified as a “Monument of Cycling“, just like Paris-Roubaix. The playground here is so concentrated that despite the infinite number of roads, cobbles and other asphalted paths that make the area resemble a real labyrinth, the same road or Mont can be used by several races! The Monts (“Bergs” in Flemish) such as the Oude Kwaremont, the Paterberg, the Taaienberg, the Kruisberg, to name but a few, are thus on the program of the Grand Prix E3 or Dwars door Vlaanderen, almost serving as a dress rehearsal for both riders and followers of the “real” Tour of Flanders, the most coveted of all.

However, knowledge of the terrain requires great experience, as it is easy to get lost in an environment where road signs are rather rare or, at best, intended for locals. These singularities add to the charm of these races, which sometimes seem to be more like a giant slide than a race such as a stage of the Tour de France.

Day 1: the social ride

As a Sportful ambassador, Paolo Bettini leads the operations. Although he has long since retired from professional pelotons, his memories of the area and his passion for cycling races have remained intact. However, this Friday morning, spirits were low. It must be said that a thin layer of snow had covered the area. Suffice to say that riding on the cobbles in these conditions is not reasonable, even if some teams, including AG2R Citroën, did not deviate from the traditional reconnaissance, which led to some memorable photos, especially for April. More reasonably… we waited.

The planned stop in the middle of the ride at the top of the Hotond Berg, was simply an improved snack where some did not deviate from the local tradition: a good beer. Is that not very advisable before potentially riding? Never mind, most of the guests succumbed to the urge.

Quite unexpectedly, in the afternoon the wind chased away the clouds and even dried the roads so that a ride was possible. The planned 50 km, however, turned into 30 km. The tension rose somewhat on the road between those who wanted to avoid the crowds of the next day’s sportive, the motorhomes looking for the best possible spot, the locals trying to make their way for their last moment of freedom before the weekend rush, and the police trying to regulate all these people, all on 3-meter wide ribbons of road.

For some, including myself, it was a matter of “warming up” on the Oude Kwaremont (difficult due to its 2.2 km length), the Koppenberg (up to 22%) and the Paterberg (20% max), the three most difficult cobbled climbs of the “new formula” Tour of Flanders, which no longer passes the Muur van Geraardsbergen.

Each time, the effort only lasts a few minutes but leaves no room for dawdling. You almost have to ride full gas just to get up. Indeed, climbing these perfectly asphalted hills would already be a great effort in itself, but the cobbles add a difficulty that does not forgive a lack of physical condition. A good omen for the next day, as these sectors will be climbed in the sportive version.

Day 2: the sportive ride

The snow of the previous day was followed by sunshine but a sharp cold (just above zero degrees). The opportunity was ideal to test the Sportful Fiandre Pro jacket.

The 144 km and 179 km routes were the most popular, as they focused only on the Monts section and allowed the start and finish to be at the same point. The 179 km route also included the Muur van Geraardsbergen, a highlight of the old route (until 2011) and famous for the chapel at its summit.

Almost from the start, the tone was set with a 17% wall, perfectly asphalted this time. But very quickly, it was necessary to follow with a long false flat section, which was not even listed. That promised… The difficulty was already to find the right gear and possibly aim for the smoothest parts, sometimes in a gutter or on a sidewalk, or sometimes on a narrow strip of cobbles that seemed to roll better. Or less badly. This would be the little game all day long.

The atmosphere was extraordinary because in several sectors, the public had already gathered.

While the cobbles themselves are not as demanding as those of Paris-Roubaix, their accumulation and the sometimes very steep gradient exhaust the body. Putting wheels on this circuit for the first time inevitably brings back images of professional riders. Cycling enthusiasts will certainly recognize these places, the scene of battles between great champions. As often, the impression of ease left by riders such as Museeuw, Sagan, Gilbert or Van der Poel makes one imagine that these are just “hills”. The reality is quite different; you have to push hard on every sector, even with adequate gearing. Over the kilometers, this eventually takes its toll on the legs. And to think that for “the win” on the Tour of Flanders, you still have to be able to give everything after 250 km of constant struggle, given the importance of positioning…

The highlight of the show remains the final sequence with the Koppenberg, Steenbeekdries, Taaienberg, Kruisberg, Oude Kwaremont, Paterberg. On the Koppenberg, which is the steepest climb, the organization has set up a wave system of about thirty cyclists, which partly avoids traffic jams and limits the possibilities of having to put a foot down, even if occasionally some will have to wear out their cleats.

With the summit of the Paterberg, the finish line, a dozen kilometers away, is almost in sight. Only the wind, largely head-on, prevents enjoying the final without having to push. But on the road, there are always volunteers to lend a hand on a few relays.

Passing through Oudenaarde, the bike computer showed 180 km for 2300 m of elevation gain. In terms of fatigue, the feeling was definitely above usual benchmarks. The cold, the wind, and the climbs took their toll, but the satisfaction of all the finishers was palpable.

The Sportful Fiandre Pro jacket was a high-performing and faithful partner on this extraordinary day. With temperatures between 1°C and 6°C, mostly sunshine, and winds around 40/45 km/h in gusts, and despite the thinness of the material, this garment seems to make perfect use of its membrane. From the manufacturer Polartec, it is called NeoShell. In this case, it is not lined with fleece fabric. This is where the choice of base layer is crucial. I had opted for a short-sleeved thermal base layer and, over it, another long-sleeved base layer. In these conditions, temperature regulation was optimal, even though the alternation between violent efforts sheltered from the wind at around 10/12 km/h and quieter moments exposed to the wind while riding much faster, made the task difficult. It should be noted that to function, this jacket requires a minimum pace on your ride or race. It is a very effective garment, but prolonged stops or even a contemplative pace should be limited because in the absence of intensity, the membrane itself is too “cold”.

Day 3: the professional race

Located at the top of the Paterberg, we were lucky enough to have a triple dose of spectacle because, on the one hand, the final circuit, also including the Oude Kwaremont, defines two passages during the last 40 kilometers (for men) and, on the other hand, this cobbled ribbon is also used by women, only once for them. Not to mention that the giant screens allowed us not to miss a single attack from Tadej Pogacar or the courage of Valentin Madouas. In this new race format, the second passage gives a fairly precise idea of the final classification, even if the undecided configuration of the 2022 race, right up to the last meters, may have defied tradition.

Watching a very high-level cycling race is always impressive. Especially when you have been able to test yourself on the same terrain the day before. The fervor of the public, partly fueled by the free-flowing beer, adds to the special nature of the moment.

The gearing used is impressive – Mathieu Van der Poel already on the large chainring five meters after the summit – the faces are marked but extremely concentrated. Despite the quality of modern TV production, nothing can replace experiencing such a spectacle live.

For all those who would like to experience such a weekend, it is already possible to mark the date on the calendar: the Ronde van Vlaanderen in sportive and professional versions will take place on April 1st and 2nd, 2023.

=> SEE ALSO : All our MAG articles