Watch: Belgian man stages brave lone protest against tarmacking of cobbled climb (video)
Only in Belgium...
As if there weren't enough problems in the world right now, local authorities in Belgium spent yesterday laying a strip of smooth asphalt up the side of a famous cobbled climb ahead of the cobbled classics.
The Eikenberg climb may not be as well known as the Oude Kwaremont or the Paterberg, but it still plays a vital role in this week's Omloop Het Nieuwsblad as well as the Tour of Flanders.
Hats off then to one man who, in scenes reminiscent of the unknown man standing in front of the tanks in Tiananmen Square in 1989, bravely stood up to the steam roller, scraping away at the wet tarmac to expose the cobblestones beneath.
>>> Seven things we're looking forward to at this weekend's Belgian classics
Unfortunately the man's attempts to stop the tarmacking of the edge of the road (don't worry, the main bit of the road is still cobbles) were unsuccessful. meaning there could be a faster way up the climb when Omloop Het Nieuwsblad arrives on Saturday.
Speaking to Sporza about the new surface, Lotto-Soudal's Tiesj Benoot said that he hoped race organisers would put barriers on top of the new tarmac to force riders to use the cobbles, while Sep Vanmarcke (Cannondale-Drapac) described the climb as "a Formula One circuit".
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for reading 20 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
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
Chinese X-Lab vies for global domination as it equips XDS Astana with bikes for the WorldTour
A new partnership sees Astana aboard new bikes with increased funding for 2025
By Joe Baker Published
-
Tech of the week: Van Rysel releases an aero bike (quelle surprise!) plus a superlight carbon crankset from FSA, a long top tube bag from Tailfin and tyre liners from Zefal
The RCR-F aero bike will be ridden by the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale team in 2025, but will it create headlines like the RCR?
By Luke Friend Published
-
Tweets of the week: Cobbles, barbecues, and what on earth is curry ketchup?
Strap in for our pre-Paris-Roubaix round-up of social media's finest
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tadej Pogačar claims Kwaremont-Paterberg Strava KOM in Tour of Flanders romp
The two-time Tour de France winner took a host of Strava trophies in Flanders on Sunday
By Tom Davidson Published
-
CW Live: Tour of Flanders updates as Tadej Pogačar and Lotte Kopecky convincingly win; Mathieu van der Poel finishes second; Mads Pedersen beats Wout van Aert to fourth; SD Worx continue dominant spring; Bahrain-Victorious rider apologises for crash;
Join us for live updates from the Tour of Flanders as Tadej Pogačar and Lotte Kopecky win the men's and women's editions
By Chris Marshall-Bell Last updated
-
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
-
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
-
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