Tacx i-magic/Fortius RLV Tour of Flanders 07

Course information The Tour of Flanders is a classic, world-class event, traditionally ridden the first Sunday in April. We selected the 2004 ladies' competition, the first of its kind historically. Since it is a less hectic race, it is possible to film the course. The police cordoned off the course so that you can fully experience the real racing atmosphere. Large groups of spectators are standing along the sides of the road, cheering the riders. Belgian cycling fans are holding their familiar yellow flags. The advertising caravan precedes the cyclists. The big shots are drinking bear at the VIP tents. The ladies' round takes place a few hours before the men's event and entails considerably fewer kilometres. The finale, with its familiar short, steep climbs is virtually identical*. It is a cool, windy day with dark, threatening rain clouds overhead. The film was shot from a car that drove in front of the peloton. When you cycle this course you will have the feeling that you are the frontrunner. You will brave fierce head winds on the first, flat kilometres. The first real ascent comes 30 km farther in the town of Ronse (known for the 1988 World Championships). Then the climbs in the well-known, classic Tour of Flanders such as the Kruisberg, the Leberg and the Tenbossestraat follow each other in rapid succession. The hills are short and steep, the descents rapid. The ascents alternate between flat, narrow roads, sometimes paved with cobblestones. The course is tortuous, unpredictable and often difficult to negotiate. It requires maximum concentration. The world of racing is brutally challenging. The strongest cyclists ride at the front. Mistakes are quickly punished. * The final 300m of the Geraardsbergen Wall is closed to cars, motorcycles (nature reserve). We filmed the detour, which turned out to be even steeper than the real ascents. We were also guided away during the last kilometre of the race along with the team managers.