January 2012
     
 

By Barry Boyce, CyclingRevealed
Historian

 

 

Also See:

20th Century Timeline

Race Snippets

Top 20 Classics

 

x This IS the Ronde 2012!?! x

Each of cycling’s 5 Monuments has its own set of unique characteristics, but the Ronde Van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders) more than any other contains the ultimate in uniqueness of a one-day classic.  Paris-Roubaix has long, difficult cobbled sections, Liege-Bastogne-Liege has a series of never ending Ardennes climbs, but the Ronde has both.  Known as “Bergs” these short, very steep cobbled climbs define the uniqueness of the Ronde

The race route has changed periodically over the years. For the first 30 years it was a loop through Flanders starting and ending in (or around) the City of Gent.  When World War 2 restricted the access to many of the roads of Flanders a major course change was presented.  During these years the race route became a limited circle around the heart of Flanders. 

Following the war the Ronde began to establish its uniqueness with more cobbled bergs added to the race course. 

Development of the course in history

Oude Kwaremont: Max 11%. First climbed: 1919

Taaienberg: Max 18%. First climbed: 1974

Kluisberg: Max 11%. First climbed: 1928

Koppenberg: Max 25%. First climbed: 1976

Muur Geraardsbergen: Max 20%. First climbed: 1950

Leberg: Max 15%. First climbed: 1977

Kloosterstraat: Max 17%. First climbed: 1953

Molenberg: Max 17%. First climbed: 1983

Valkenberg: Max 15%. First climbed: 1959

Berendries: Max 14%. First climbed: 1983

Bosberg: Max 11%. First climbed: 1970

Tenbosse: Max 14%. First climbed: 1997

Year by Year

1919: the first hills in de Ronde: Tiechemberg and Kwaremont, until 1929.

1928: first time over the Kruisberg, 3 hills.

1930: also over the Kerselareberg/Edelare, 4 hills.

1950: now 5 hills, the famous "Muur" Geraardsbergen (Muur Gramont in French) until 1952.

1953: the Muur replaced by the steep Kloosterstraat (cobblestones) until 1960.

1961: 6 hills now: Oude Kwaremont, Kruisberg, Kerselareberg, Valkenberg, Kasteelstraat and
xxxxxGrotenberg
.

1966: also the Kloosterstraat in Geraardsbergen is back in the course.

1970: The return of the Muur Geraardsbergen and the 1st time over the Bosberg (the "final" climb).

1974: The long awaited return of the Oude-Kwaremont.

1976: The 1st time over the Koppenberg, 9 hills.

1981: Climbs increase to 11 hills.

1988: The Koppenberg is taken out of the race after an accident in which an official’s car ran over a fallen
xxxxxx rider, Jesper Skibby, wheels on the Koppenberg.  After a renovation the Koppenberg returned in 2002.

1990: The number of hills is up to 13.

2004: 18 hills now used in the Flemish Ardennes.

Start - Finish

1913 Gent - Mariakerke

1914 Gent – Evergem (velodrome)

1919-1923 Gent - Gentbrugge (Arsenal)

1924-1927 Gent - Gent (velodrome)

1928-1941 Gent - Wetteren

1942-1944 Gent - Gent (velodrome)

1945-1961 Gent - Wetteren

1962-1972 Gent - Gentbrugge

1973-1976 Gent – Meerbeke/Ninove

1977-1997 Sint-Niklaas (Grote Markt) – Meerbeke/Ninove

1998-2011 Bruges – Meerbeke/Ninove

2012-Future (?) Bruges – Oudenaarde

Changes are again coming for 2012!  With the contract of the “finish” City of Meerbeke/Ninove ending possible changes to the closing sections of the race route were investigated. 

In September 2011 the organizers of the Ronde announced a radical course change on www.rondevanvlaanderen.be/en/:


Oudenaarde, new arrival town

September 16, 2011

The Tour of Flanders wishes to be a leading and contemporary race; now and in the future. Baring that in mind, we decided in 2010 to investigate the possible arrival towns.

We took a year’s time to properly explore three possibilities: Ninove/Meerbeke as the traditional arrival area since 1973, Oudenaarde, home to cyclists and a town full of heritage and Ronse a town with a history in cycling. The choice fell on Oudenaarde. Although we are aware of the strong qualities of the other cities, our feeling is that Oudenaarde can provide the best assets for the Tour of Flanders in the future.


A DYNAMIC, CLENCHED FINAL SECTION
After a smooth section of 20 kilometers the riders take on a clenched final section of 75 kilometers built around three loops on the Oude-Kwaremont and Patersberg in combination with the Koppenberg and Kruisberg. This provides a new concept concentrated around four crucial hill slopes in the Flemish Ardennes within a stone’s throw of each other. The ultimate final, being ten ascensions and two cobbled roads followed by a straight line to the finish in Oudenaarde, will provide a challenging setting for the race.

MAXIMIZING THE EXPERIENCE
The new final section is very accessible. It allows cycling fans to witness the apotheosis of the race in the best circumstances. Without having to move around, fans can experience the multiple passages on the Oude Kwaremont and the Patersberg and really feel and even smell the final stage from the first row. The celebrations alongside the track will become even more intense.

MORE SAFETY AND SERVICE IN THE FINAL AREA
One hundred thousand cycling fans make the Tour of Flanders what it is today. The competition and heroic efforts of the cyclists in the hill slope scenery are always accompanied by the sound of festivity with good food and drink. Vlaanderen’s Mooiste has become a massive event. That is the power but also the weak point of the race. Safety is our first priority. Our efforts in consulting and collaborating with government officials become greater every year. The special intervention plan becomes more complex every year. The new track allows less movement by the spectators and hence provides possibilities for optimizing service and safety measures in the finish area. We want to provide an improved execution of the safety plan, the traffic plan, waste disposal and services for the fans (parking space, shuttles services, etc…).

In short, the new final section will allow us to manage the event better and will therefore honor the experience and the fair battle even more.

HISTORIC PERSPECTIVE: THE CLASSIC REMAINS A CLASSIC
Ever since the first edition in 1913 the Tour of Flanders has undergone many changes in departure and arrival areas. The Tour of Flanders is a living monument to cycling but also wants to invest in a great future. Its ability to adjust is what makes the Tour of Flanders a monumental race. In spite of all these changes the classic remains a classic. The final section contains the traditional ingredients of the Tour of Flanders: cunning hills and cobbled roads in the heart of the Flemish Ardennes. Oudenaarde with its historic center, its wonderful Town hall and its unique experimental museum ‘Centre Tour of Flanders’ lies in the center of this new track. Oudenaarde breaths passion for cycling for a lot of recreational riders and cycling lovers.


The Race Course in 2012:
Opening Section

Climbing Sections All Together

The 3 race loops (climbs #8 to #17)

These drastic changes resulted in the finish line moving from Meerbeke/Ninove to Oudenarde (home of the Centrum Ronde van Vlaanderen, the Tour of Flanders Reality Museum).  Sadly the victims of this change are the dramatic climb of the steep Tenbosse, the famous climb of the Muur van Geraardsbergen and the longtime final climb of the Bosberg

Opinions are mixed, Fabian Cancellara, winner in 2010, said he liked the new finish of the Ronde. He never liked the long flat road from Tenbosse to the Muur and the closing flat kilometers into Ninove after the Bosberg.  While Cancellara liked the new course, some riders felt the new race course may be too hard.  Three-time Flanders champion Johan Museeuw said:  "Three times up the Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg can blow you away. The course didn't really need to be made harder, I think."

Many cycling fans Worldwide (especially the traditionalists) also expressed feelings against the changes. Most thinking the changes were being made for commercial reasons.  The removal of the Muur van Geraardsbergen has not been well received by the Ronde faithful. 

Bergs of 2012 (the new order):

Berg Section 1

7. Valkenberg

Berg Section 3

1. Nokereberg

Berg Section 2

13. Oude Kwaremont **

2. Taaienberg

8. Oude Kwaremont *

14. Paterberg **

3. Eikenberg

9. Paterberg *

15. Hoogberg-Hotond

4. Molenberg

10. Koppenberg

Berg Section 4

5. Rekelberg

11. Steenbeekdries

16. Oude Kwaremont ***

6. Berendries

12. Nieuwe Kruisberg

17. Paterberg ***

Time will tell if the changes made to the 2012 Ronde Van Vlaanderen are a success or failure.  However the critics and supporters will both agree with the one undeniable fact that all of Belgium comes to a halt on race day, “This IS the Ronde!!!” 


EDITORIAL NOTE:
Here at CyclingRevealed we are praying for really disgusting weather!  Wind, rain, and cold, the excitement of an old time Flandrian spring storm that will properly challenge a rider’s ability to stay upright and maintain traction on the cobbled climbs.  The toughest, strongest rider (a true Flahute) will win!!!  The more recent editions of Flanders (and Paris-Roubaix) have been run under sunny skies and relatively mild temperatures.  Both races are due for an epic race story.  The new course and bad weather could provide that opportunity in 2012.


It was a legendary Ronde: x Ronde 1985

It was a legendary Hell of the North: x P-R 1985 xxx P-R 1994

 

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