Due to Saturday’s unreliable weather, only 13,000 to 14,000 of the 16,000 of the people registered took part in the amateur Tour de Flandres. It took place the day before the professional bike race. “It was a year for real Flandriens, with difficult weather conditions”, says Chris Vannoppen, spokesman for the organizer Golazo. At 8pm, some of the mopeds had not yet crossed the finish line. The amateurs taking part had the choice of three routes. The bravest 4,560 did the whole 239 kilometres, leaving from Bruges. The others chose 127 kilometres or 71 kilometres, leaving from Audenarde.
Due to Saturday’s bad weather, 13,000 to 14,000 of the 16,000 registered turned up. “It was a year for real Flandriens, with difficult weather conditions”, says Chris Vannoppen, spokesman for the organizer Golazo. He was grateful there were few incidents on the road, despite the “cold and windy” conditions.
However, the Koppenberg crossing caused numerous falls. “We are considering whether to keep it in the route next year”, said Mr Vannoppen.
(Source: Belga)
