Here come the Spring Classics...

 

The next two months are a celebration of Belgian cycling. No other country likes cyclesport as much. The racing is also spectator-friendly with circuits a communal event too. When there’s a race on it becomes an event, people gather, food appears and the public is often knowledgeable… when sober. Cycling allows spectators to get close to the action and competitors and sometimes the proximity is alarming, riders at peak fitness pass fans with a can of beer in one hand and a cone of fries in the other.

Of course this does not mean the whole nation is cycle-crazy but you won’t find another country in the world where the sport is celebrated as much. It’s hard to explain why the sport is so popular, perhaps success just breeds success? There are structural aspects like a rich network of clubs and many local races to support the grass roots. Geography and sociology play their part, a dense population where riding by bike was long the way to get to the field or factory.

Summary

Welcome to Belgium where even training rides are considered newsworthy. No other country celebrates racing as much. If France welcomes le Tour each July but shrugs indifferently at the sport for the rest of the year.

From now until late April is the spring classics season. The sport and its coverage goes up a level this weekend. This can be enjoyed by fans around the world but you have to visit Belgium one day to see, smell and taste it for yourself.

Thanks to the innerring...again! Bikes, beer and frites. What's not to like???