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Belgian professional riders have gone hunting for Strava KOMs held by amateurs on the climbs of the Tour of Flanders. A digital quarrel that looks like an ego war, but also a lesson on the pitfalls of constant comparison. In a world where even GPS tracks can lie, the line between pride and illusion becomes blurred… we explain!
By Jeff Tatard – Photos: All Rights Reserved
The gods of the tarmac have descended from their Olympus… In Belgium, several pro riders have decided to embark on a digital crusade to reclaim their lost thrones: those famous KOMs (King of the Mountain) stolen by mere mortals, enthusiasts, sometimes just guys inspired on a day with favorable wind… or helped by a few technological tricks.
And now the pros, their pride stung, are organizing to reclaim what “belongs” to them. It’s funny, touching… and a little sad, all at once.
When the elite starts chasing ghosts
In a world where everything is already measured, where performance dissolves into watts and percentages, Strava has become the rawest mirror of our time: a temple of comparison, a social network for athletes seeking validation.
That an amateur seeks to exist through a KOM, we understand. But when pro riders – those who make a living from cycling, who already have the trophies, contracts, recognition – embark on the pursuit of a virtual record on the Koppenberg or Paterberg, one can legitimately ask: what are they still looking for?
Is it really the pleasure of the game? Or the fear of seeing their status waver in the eyes of others? Because on Strava, everyone is naked: no team jersey, no podium, just a GPS track and a ranking. And perhaps that is the real wound: being outpaced by an unknown with an ironic username and a heart of steel.
The distorting mirror of the ego
Ego, that driving and destructive force all at once, is present in every pedal stroke. We think we’re pedaling for ourselves, but we’re always riding a little against others. KOMs are the currency of our time: small digital totems to reassure our ego, to prove we exist. And some, even among the pros, fall into the trap. Because humans remain human, whatever the color of their jersey. They want to be seen, recognized, admired. And when glory fades, there’s always the comfort of a Strava segment where one can still “dominate”.
Cheating, the other side of the myth
But let’s be honest: if some pros want to reclaim their KOMs, it might also be because the KOMs were stolen. The wind, GPS errors, descents cut a little short… or worse, tools capable of fabricating perfect tracks. There are now applications like FakeMy.Run, which allow you to create fake rides, armchair KOMs, sofa exploits. Cheating, therefore, comes not only from above, but also from below.
And in this game of shadows, everyone ends up doubting: who truly deserved their record? Who truly climbed that cobbled wall at 500 watts? The line between performance and illusion blurs, and competition becomes a theater of ego where truth doesn’t always have the last word.
The honor of losing
So, deep down, should we blame these pros who want to reclaim their KOMs? Perhaps not. But we can remind them of one simple thing: the nobility of sport is also about accepting defeat — even virtually. An amateur who climbs a Flemish hill faster than a pro on a training ride, that’s beautiful. It’s a sign that passion, sometimes, transcends hierarchy. Cycling has never been just about numbers. It’s first and foremost a story of breath, willpower, and an ego that must be tamed as much as one’s heart rate.
KOMs pass, emotions remain. And perhaps one day, pros will understand that the true summit is not on Strava, but in the peace found after the finish line.
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