Ronde van Vlaanderen: Belgium’s National Legend

Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders, nicknamed De Ronde) is one of the most important one-day classics in Belgium and the entire world. Every early April, nearly all of Belgium comes to a standstill to watch this race, whose status is comparable to Taiwan’s Lunar New Year or America’s Super Bowl—it is an embodiment of national identity.

The Race’s Status and Significance

In the Flemish region of Belgium, cycling is not just a sport but a faith. De Ronde is the most sacred ritual of that faith.

Race Data

Iconic Climbs

Koppenberg

• Gradient: Average 11.6%, maximum 22%
• Surface: Ancient cobblestones
• Length: 0.6 km
• Feature: So steep that many riders are forced to dismount and run

Paterberg

• Gradient: Average 12.9%, maximum 20%
• Length: 0.36 km
• Feature: The final major climb of De Ronde, where the race is often decided

Oude Kwaremont

• Gradient: Average 4%, but the cobbled surface makes it exceptionally brutal
• Length: 2.2 km
• Feature: Appears multiple times in the latter part of the race, accumulating fatigue

Kapelmuur (Muur van Geraardsbergen)

• Located in Geraardsbergen
• Gradient: Average 9.3%, maximum 20%
• Feature: A steep climb through the town, lined with fans on both sides

Why Does Belgium Dominate the Classics?

Belgian and Dutch riders’ achievements in the classics far surpass those of other nations, for the following reasons:

1. Terrain Training Advantage: Although Belgium is flat overall, the western Flemish region is packed with short, steep climbs that perfectly match the characteristics of the classics
2. Early Exposure: Cycling culture is deeply embedded in families, with children riding on cobblestones from a young age
3. Complete Ecosystem: A full youth development system and numerous professional teams

The Modern Twin Stars

Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands) and Wout van Aert (Belgium) are the fiercest rivalry in today’s classics, and their competition adds even more drama to De Ronde.

A Taiwanese Cyclist’s Flemish Experience

Tour of Flanders for Cyclosportives

Ronde van Vlaanderen offers an amateur version on the same day or the day before the professional race, open to all riders, following the same route as the pros.

Suggested Itinerary:

• Stay in Oudenaarde (the finish city) and visit the official cycling museum after the race
• Taste Belgian delicacies: fries, waffles, and beer

Riding Techniques for Cobblestones

For Taiwanese cyclists, cobblestones are the most unfamiliar challenge:

Technical Points:

• Lower your tire pressure (1-1.5 bar less than usual)
• Keep pedaling; don’t let the bike spin freely over the cobbles
• Ride in the “groove” in the middle of the cobbled section (often smoother)
• Don’t grip the handlebars too tightly; let your arms absorb the vibration

Race Day Spectator Culture

On De Ronde race day, the roadside scenes in Belgian villages are breathtaking:

• Fans dressed in Belgium’s black, yellow, and red line up from early morning
• Temporary fry stands and beer stalls
• Flags waving and cheers that shake the ground
• People camp out on the climbs all day just for those few seconds of riders flying past

Conclusion

Ronde van Vlaanderen is not just a bike race; it is the essence of Flemish culture. When you stand beside the cobblestones of the Paterberg, feeling the earth-shaking roar of the crowd and the moment professional riders grit their teeth as they surge past you, you will understand why Belgians call this day “De Dag”—“The Day”—as if it were the only day that matters all year.

Related Reading

• Flanders Tour Ronde van Vlaanderen: Belgium’s Glorious Cobbled One-Day Race
• Belgian Cycling Pilgrimage: The Cobblestone Legends of Flanders and Roubaix
• Koppenberg, Oude Kwaremont, Paterberg: The Complete Guide to Conquering the Amateur Tour of Flanders
• Oude Kwaremont: The Heart of Flanders, a Cobbled Shrine Ridden Three Times a Year