2012.12.09 belgium & cycling a 100 year love affair
TRANSCRIPT
2012.12.09
BELGIUM & CYCLING A 100 YEAR LOVE AFFAIR
Belgium founded in 1830 Two strong regional traditions Flanders (Dutch
speaking) and Wallonia (French speaking) Cycling has strong links to Medieval
knighthood traditions Horse + knight = bike + rider Colourful outfits, helmet, armour & flags Individual glory on the « battle field » extends
to the clan
Why did it catch on so strongly?
Belgium founded in 1830 Liège-Bastogne-Liège (L-B-L) (1892) – Oldest pro race in
the world Paris-Roubaix (1896) - – first Belgian winner (1908) Tour of Flanders (1913) Tour de France (1903) – first Belgian winner (1912)
Philippe Thys ( ’13, ’14, ’20) - The Armstrong that never was…
Belgium is 2nd country in stage wins and 2nd in tours won Merckx co-owns the record at 5 and won a record 32 tour
stages
Historical races
Historical races
Paris Roubaix
L – B - L
Tour of Flanders
Amstel Gold Race
France法国
Holland荷兰
Romance and Pagan Religion
Press continues to use very romantic and heraldic language and Medieval flags became “modern” again Newspapers became pioneer organisers and made big
profits on readership – Literary genre! Very important: it is free for all! Amateur re-enactments on the same roads = 15,000
pilgrims Yearly ritual with « holy » locations; especially the
« Mountain of Odin » an ancient celtic temple converted into a Catholic church. Now known as « De Muur » (the Wall)
Cyclists have always been recruited from the lower levels of society, especially farmboys perception of lower class labour
Turn of the Millennium new breed of riders Riders became celebrities beyond their sporting abilities
▪ Tom Boonen, Frank Vandenbroucke, Philippe Gilbert Television broadcasts are prime time TV, all year long
▪ Cyclo Cross takes off in Flanders, rescuing the sport – 12/12 cycling on TV!
Perceptions change
The pyramid of success is in place
Big names come and go… Doping ravages the sport…
But the youth academies and local leagues continue unabated
The future is assured by the system and by local business involvement
Cycling as the « new golf » Cycling becomes attractive to women From « old school » to « hip »