De ronde van Vlaanderen

Today’s ‘Ronde van Vlaanderen’ is the apotheosis of the Flemish cycling week. Time to reminisce: the race of 1985. When the peloton arrives at the famous Koppenberg it suddenly starts to rain. Cobblestones instantly turn into slippery rocks. Wheels have no grip anymore and riders are tumbling down.

Belgian champion Eric Vanderaerden had a flat tyre just before the Koppenberg and is far behind. When he reaches the Koppenberg, he’s one of the few who is able to ride instead of running up the hill. He manages to catch up with the leading group. At the famous ‘Muur van Geraardsbergen’ nobody can keep up with his pace. Eric wins Flanders’ most appealing classic! So in the end his bad luck turns out to be good luck.

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