This group of friends is already on post for the Tour of Flanders in Kluisbergen. — © Peter Malaise
About 160 hours before the riders’ first passage in the Parklaan, the first five mobile homes are already on post. “We come from the Kemmelberg”, they say. “We are bored, no thou.”
Peter Malay
After two corona years, people are allowed to come to the Tour of Flanders again. A good week before the starting gun sounds, the first campers are already along the course. It has been busy in the hilly zone of the Flemish Ardennes all week. Sunday evening the first campers arrived along the course. “The best places are scarce”, Jos tells us. “We come from the Kemmelberg where we followed Ghent – Wevelgem. Last year we were chased out of here because of corona, we hope we can stay now.”
We are Raymonda and Jos from Temse, Irma and Jowan from Aarschot, Catharina and Frans from Zandvliet, Simone and Marc from Mol and Carolus from Aalst. “What we will do? Exploring the trail, we have bicycles with us. Sit on the terrace of the cafes in the area, watch Dwars door Vlaanderen on Wednesday, and there are the reconnaissance of the riders for the Ronde. We will not get bored.”
Jos supports Mathieu van der Poel, the others favor Wout Van Aert. Still, Jos tips Wout as the winner of the Tour of Flanders. He won’t be alone.
