Matt Brammeier wins his weight in beer at Tour of Flanders
While other riders have their eye on the race win, Irish rider Matt Brammeier aimed to win a huge amount of beer at the Tour of Flanders
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Matt Brammeier won his weight in beer at an intermediate sprint today when the Tour of Flanders passed through Sint-Eloois-Winkel, Belgium.
The Liverpool-born Irishman of team MTN-Qhubeka heard about the sprint for Stene Molen beer from former cyclist Nico Mattan. The Belgian wrote on Twitter about the prize that he arranged 33.6 kilometres after the start in Bruges.
Another former professional, Brit Daniel Lloyd read the message on Mattan's Twitter on Saturday night and told Brammeier about the beer on offer.
Brammeier did the rest. He made the escape with six other cyclists and out-kicked them for the brew.
"The main thing was to get a rider in the break," MTN's general manager, Brian Smith told Cycling Weekly.
"It was more about getting visibility, more than anything else.
“Matt was nominated to do so with Jay Thomson, he's very good at getting in breaks. He marks everything down, so of course, he marked down the beer sprint."
MTN wants to help American Tyler Farrar and German Gerald Ciolek win the 264.2-kilometre monument. Farrar finished fifth in 2010.
Brammeier races with an Irish licence, but is from Liverpool. He spends his time between mainland European bases in Girona, Spain, and Belgium.
Smith added, "Like all cyclists, he likes beer."
Mattan told Cycling Weekly that he would award the Stene Molen Beer in 75cl bottles at the start of the Scheldeprijs on Wednesday in Antwerp. Brammeier weighs 73kg or 161lb according to the South African team.
With 135 kilometres to race, Brammeier's escape group had 6-22 minutes on the main group today.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
-
Toyota launches its first electric cargo bike - but it’s only available in France
Available through 300 car dealerships, the bike can carry loads of up to 100kg with a stated range of 60 miles
By Luke Friend • Published
-
Jonathan Milan 'super happy' after leaving Dylan Groenewegen's crosswinds plan in tatters at Saudi Tour
Jayco AlUla were one of the chief architects of the split, but its Dutch sprinter could not deliver on his team's work
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Biniam Girmay eyes Tour of Flanders and Tour de France success in 2023
After becoming first African rider to win Gent-Wevelgem, Girmay plans to take aim at the Tour of Flanders and other monuments next year
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Tour of Flanders Espoirs cancelled indefinitely
The race's date, location and lack of young riders are all factors in the organiser's decision
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
E3 Saxo Bank Classic 2021 start list
List of riders taking part in the 2021 edition of the E3 Saxo Bank Classic in Belgium on Friday, March 26
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
Fabio Aru officially signs for Qhubeka-Assos as he looks to reboot his career
Fabio Aru finally announces that he will be joining Qhubeka-Assos for the 2021 season after several transfer rumours went around
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
No fans at Tour of Flanders and other Classics in 2021, according to organisers
There will be no fans at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Ghent-Wevelgem, Dwars Door Vlaanderen, Scheldeprijs or Brabantse Pijl in 2021
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
'Cycling has been my life for 20 years': Enrico Gasparrotto calls time on his career at 38
Enrico Gasparotto has announced his retirement from professional cycling at the age of 38 after a very successful career spanning 16 years for eight teams, winning various races
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
Greg Van Avermaet and Patrick Lefevere appear in bizarre new E3 BinckBank poster
The latest poster for E3 BinckBank is another bizarre addition to the catalogue, as Patrick Levefere and Greg Van Avermaet have appeared in fancy dress.
By Alex Ballinger • Published
-
‘I’m still coming to terms with what happened’: Nic Dlamini responds after having his arm broken by park rangers
Nic Dlamini says he’s still “coming to terms with what happened” after he was injured by park rangers during an altercation over Christmas.
By Alex Ballinger • Published