From Sunday 19 September to Sunday 26 September 2021, the world cycling championships place in Flanders. Bruges and Leuven are the main places that were ridden. In Bruges, the time trial champions welcomed and in Leuven was the fantastic apotheosis, with Julien Alaphilipe winning. Cycling in Leuven is a wonderful experience. We take a closer look at the loop that was ridden in and around Leuven in this article.
Flemish Hills
Who to Flanders thinks hills and cobbles. Of course, there is the Muur van Geraardsbergen, the Oude Kwaremont and more such painful introductions to the rolling Belgian countryside. However, the organisers of this World Cup have chosen to include some, somewhat unfamiliar hills in this course.
Anyway, the Flemish hilly landscape is a region to be framed. For the average cyclist it is a treat. Beautiful country roads, where you don't see a single chicken, climbs left and right, because no metre is flat here and you can also find plenty of cobbled lanes. After all, it is also a piece of farmland, where the cobblestone has its origins.
Trail
Now back to the course. Because that is mostly uphill, downhill. There is a loop in and around Leuven, but for now we will focus on the 'Flandrien loop' as it is so nicely called. Hereby the most important climbs in a row:
- Smeysberg (600m - 8.1%)
- Veeweidestraat (484, - 5%)
- Bekestraat (440m - 7.6%)
- Tayman Street - Overijsse (800m - 4.4%)
- Moskesstraat (500m - 9.1%)
Many of these climbs are (at times) included in the Brabantse Pijl, but that is precisely a race not watched by many. Great prospects, then!
Levelling
As soon as we leave Leuven, one thing becomes clear: this is typical of the Flemish hilly landscape as there is not one metre of flatness. For the average amateur, this takes some shifting, especially if you are used to the dead straight straight polder roads.
Asphalt
We have to swallow the first disappointment right away when we see Smeysberg. Asphalt. Black, smooth asphalt. The decision has been made to call the local BAM in several places and apply some new black smoothness there. This is a shame because this climb would actually be extra painful with the original road surface. In the city of Leuven, too, the decision was made to apply new smooth asphalt to many streets. In itself, this is nice in the city, but on the climbs it is a shame. The Smeysberg is now a dead straight line uphill. With a maximum of 17%. Then again.
On top of Smeysberg, we turn off towards the next funnel, Moskesstraat. This cobbled climb is one of the real sharpshooters of this course and despite its 500 metres in length (short), the 9.1% average is what's really going to hurt. Fortunately, the Moskesstraat is still the cobblestone climb it should be, but again, they did ask the roadworker to straighten everything out a bit more neatly.
After Moskesstraat, you arrive fairly quickly in Overijsse, known for its cross country. Taymanstraat and the twisty section there is a nice challenge and again many will feel pain in their legs. This section is the least steep, but still there is another 800m at over 4% to climb. Surely this will take its toll in the finale.
Leading pain
After Overijsse it's downhill but, as mentioned, the climbs follow in quick succession. The Bekestraat is the next challenge and here, too, it's hard work. This cobbled climb seems to have been skipped in the whole revamp of the municipality and it is really searching for the right cadence. 'Only' 440 metres but you can easily lose connection with the front group here.
Around Leuven
If you think the Flandrien loop hurts, remember that the riders also have to ride over a local lap around Leuven several times. That includes the Keizersberg and the Wijnpers. Those are also going to seriously hurt, as they are 400m at 6% and 300m at 7.6% respectively. Bear in mind that you have to go up the Keizersberg 7 times and the Wijnpers 8 times. Not funny. Especially the Keizersberg is to, as it contains a whole section at 10-12%. That then flattens out again, but we can confirm, it really hurts. Even the straight line up the Wine Press, which fluctuates little in terms of average find little happiness with our legs.
All in all, in just over 60 kilometres, you quickly pick up around 600 altimeters anyway. That's not bad.
Alternative
Do you want to end up cycling the World Cup course once and still pick up something else afterwards? You can also visit the village of Hoegaarden nearby (20 kilometres away). The ride to it is as hilly as the rest of the area. However, the reward in the village is very sweet! Hoegaarden is famous for its brewery. The (white) beer from the local brewer will therefore taste extra delicious.
Want to know more about the World Cup? Check out the site of Flanders 2021.
Cycling in Leuven is nice, Cycling in Flanders is totally cool. Check out the site of Cycling Flanders for more info
