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".
-
-
Tokyo 2020 Olympics time trial men's start list
The confirmed start order from the 44.2km course around the Fuji International Speedway
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Anna van der Breggen crashes after being pulled off bike by official during TT recon
The world champion was on a final recon lap of the Fuji International Speedway when the incident happened
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
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 •
-
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 •
-
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 •
-
Ghent-Wevelgem 2019 live TV guide
Eurosport the Proximus Sport Facebook page will show live coverage of the 2019 Ghent-Wevelgem on Sunday, March 31
By Michelle Arthurs-Brennan •
-
How watching 25 years of Tour of Flanders footage is helping scientists study climate change
It might sound like an excuse to watch some bike racing, but scientists are using footage of the Tour of Flanders to help them study climate change.
By Henry Robertshaw •
-
Peter Sagan: 'If the other riders don't wake up, it's going to be like this'
"It's not just me that they need to beat" Peter Sagan said of his rivals after Quick-Step Floors dominated the Tour of Flanders
By Gregor Brown •
-
Five things we learned from the 2018 Tour of Flanders
We take a look at the main talking points from the 2018 edition of the Tour of Flanders
By Stephen Puddicombe •
-
Niki Terpstra leaves rivals reeling with amazing Tour of Flanders solo win
Dutchman Niki Terpstra adds a Tour of Flanders victory to his 2018 E3 Harelbeke win and 2014 Paris-Roubaix title after a trademark long-range solo attack
By Nigel Wynn •
