Steven Thijs of organizer Gelosportief had already thrown in the towel for this year. “We always organize at the end of June, but until 1 July you are not allowed to organize a tour under the umbrella of the Wielerbond.”
“The city of Bilzen has asked us to sign a route, because we can do it now.” And that means: groups of up to 20 drivers, with a road captain, only supplies at the start and no registration fees.
“Normally about 1,500 people come to our tour. Now we spread it over 3 days and so we hope to get that number. The reactions are already positive.”
“We drive a lot of bike rides, so it has been a bit of a kick in recent months,” says one of the participants. “It has been very strange. That social contact was missing. This is the first tour and that is why we are immediately present.”
But it does take some getting used to. “The atmosphere is much cooler,” says another cyclist. “It is a bit strange. Normally it is a surprise here, there are queues here, there is a bicycle shed, … Today there is none at all. But it will be fun!”
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