At the start of the 2019 Tour de France, Belgium enjoyed a huge cycling party. The country's love for cycling is deeply ingrained in its culture — and not even a Dutch win could dampen the atmosphere.
Image: Reuters/C. Hartmann
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You might almost have thought he was racing. In the center of Brussels, cycling fans chanted: "Eddy, Eddy, Eddy!" Belgium's five-time winner of the Tour, Eddy Merckx, is one of cycling's greatest representatives, and although the 74-year-old hasn't raced for 41 years now it mattered little to all of those cheering on in Belgium's capital.
"Eddy is still such a hero for us. He was and always will be," said Jan-Frans Lemmens, who stood with his bike waiting for the peloton of the 2019 Tour de France to start.
The 45-year-old, born in Brussels, was focused on only one thing on Saturday. He wanted to watch the race from three different spots, and take in the entire atmosphere of the "Grand Départ" on Belgium's cycling holiday. "It's a magical feeling to have the Tour with us. I was always going to be here on the route. Cycling is a part of my life," he said.
A good 50 years ago, Eddy Merckx won his first Tour de FranceImage: Getty Images/AFP/K. van Accom
That's how it is in Belgium. Cycling is part of the culture. There are approximately 14,500 kilometers (9,000 miles) of cycling paths across a country that is only about 280 kilometers long. On weekends, there are often more bikes than cars on the rural roads. And just watching others cycling is also part of the culture here. In the spring races on the rough cobblestone streets of Flanders, people stand and cheer. They're at the cyclocross, a race that leads riders through mud, sand and sometimes even through pubs. They're even at the amateur races. People watch cycling, sometimes with a strong, blonde Belgian beer in their hand.
Lemmens first watched the Tour as a 6-year-old with his father. "I caught the cycling bug immediately," Lemmens said. When the cyclists fly by, Lemmens and his friends celebrate. It's clear how much of a fan he is. A few seconds later, the spectacle is over. Reports suggest Lemmens was one of 500,000 people standing shoulder to shoulder in Brussels watching the Tour.
'Home win'
Even outside the city, in the streets of Flanders, the real heart of Belgium's cycling tradition, hundreds of thousands stood on the roadside celebrating the Tour, the 20 Belgian cyclists (Belgium has the second-most number of participants on the Tour, behind France's 34) and themselves.
Take the legendary Muur van Geraardsbergen, for example. It's a short, steep cobblestone slope leading up to a small chapel, where, according to media reports, 10,000 people host an open-air festival for cyclists. The celebrations are huge when countryman Greg Van Avermaet won the first mountain points, securing him the polka dot jersey.
The opening stage was a huge spectacle for those watching onImage: Getty Images/AFP/M. Bertorello
Where does the Belgian love for cycling come from? Before the opening stage, pro cyclist Yves Lampaert was at a supermarket for a sponsor's event. When asked, the 2018 Belgian champion didn't have to wait long before giving an answer. "We have a huge history of cycling. We've had great cyclists in every generation, which motivates kids to get involved. There are so many clubs that support them and there are even lessons at school," he told DW.
His team manager, Patrick Lefevere, went even further. "Cycling is a lifestyle in Belgium. Everyone wants to be involved, everyone shares in the thrill. It's a really special feeling to be a part of it all," he said.
For his Deceuninck-QuickStep team, the fact the opening stage is in Belgium is something quite special. The team in blue worked all day to prepare for the sprint, with one big goal in their sights: the yellow jersey at the start of the Tour in their home country.
A Dutchman spoils the party
Dutchman Mike Teunissen just got over the line ahead of Peter SaganImage: Reuters/G. Fuentes
But in a hectic finish on the inclining stretch of the Avenue du Parc Royal, many plans were ruined. The Deceuninck-QuickStep team sprint finish was exemplary, but Italian sprinter Elia Viviani couldn't stay with the lead group. Top favorite Dylan Groenewegen from the Netherlands fell, and superstar Peter Sagan took the lead but ran out of gas in the final meters. In the end, Dutchman Mike Teunissen triumphed by the width of a bike tire, inching past Sagan and ending a long Dutch drought. The last time a Dutchman wore the yellow jersey was 1989.
But the atmosphere at the finish line wasn't ruined. Crowds of fans circled the buses of the Belgian teams, trying to get autographs or a photo. Nearby, sweat dripped from Kevin van Melsen's head as beneath him his legs slowly rotated. The Belgian was riding in his first Tour de France, and a few minutes after coming through the finish line everything he had just experienced along the 194.5 kilometers first stage was still fresh in his mind.
"There were a remarkable amount of people on the streets. It was incredible," the 32-year-old beamed. "In some small towns I could hardly understand anything because it was so loud. To see that amount of excitement really made me happy."
Who will win the Tour de France?
Four-time winner Chris Froome is out of this year's Tour de France after his fall. Even without Froome though, there is still a distinguished field battling for the yellow jersey – and there could be a surprise winner.
Image: Reuters/S. Mahe
Who will win?
Even without Chris Froome, this race will be exciting. The Tour de France promises suspense, even if Team Sky (now called Ineos after a sponsor change) remain the strongest. Our look at the rest of the field shows who will be a threat to the British team.
Image: picture-alliance/Belga/D. Waem
10 - Enric Mas (Deceuninck-Quickstep)
Sunken cheeks, deep-set eyes, skinny limbs and and shaven hair - Enric Mas looks scary to many onlookers. The 24-year-old Spaniard is perfectly healthy and extremely well trained. Mas is strong in the mountains, and was a surprising second in the 2018 Vuelta. This year though, he has been unremarkable. Prediction: It won't be enough for a spot at the front of the pack.
Image: imago images/Sirotti
9 - Nairo Quintana (Movistar)
Has Nairo Quintana's time already come and gone? From 2013 to 2016 he was consistently in the top four at the Tour, Giro and Vuelta. He was a powerhouse on the mountains, but recently the quiet Colombian has struggled. He has shied away from media appointments, notably around the tough ascents. This will likely be his last chance as captain on the Tour. Prediction: He won't take his chance.
Image: Reuters/S. Mahe
8 - Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale)
The hopes of many lie heavy on the on the thin shoulders of Romain Bardet. The gangly climber was meant to end the long drought of the French at the Tour. In recent years, it looked like he was closing in on this goal but at the moment, Bardet, who has a degree in management, is chasing both opponents and his good form. Prediction: He'll lose too much time in the time trial.
Image: AFP/Getty Images/A.-C. Poujoulat
7 - Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott)
"We have taken different paths, but are still close and talk to each other every day," Adam Yates said of his relationship to his twin brother Simon. Both are talented contenders in the same classification. In France, Simon, who was captain at the Giro, will likely ride for Adam. He's good on the mountains and solid in time trials. Prediction: Has a chance, but won't win.
Image: imago images/Sirotti
6 - Emanuel Buchmann (Bora-Hansgrohe)
A talented rider has now become a potential podium finisher – Emanuel Buchmann impressed in the preparation races for the Tour. The quiet German has become one of the best on the mountain, and has improved in the time trial. The 26-year-old is still lacking the punch and the confidence to seal the big win. Predicton: He'll keep getting better.
The double of the Giro and the Tour last year proved to be too ambitious. The experienced "shark from Messina" will remember the trials of the race in Italy, one he lost due to a tactical mistake. But his consistency and passion will see the 34-year-old pick up points again. Prediction: The shark is a few teeth short of a strong bite.
Image: AFP/Getty Images/L. Benies
4 - Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ)
He is over his fear of the descent and has improved on his time trial – is Thibaut Pinot finally ready for a good finish? Nearly. The Frenchman continues to improve and is focused on the Tour. His team is good, but the others are better. Prediction: Pinot will attack, but won't be able to hold off all his opponents.
Image: AFP/Getty Images/A.-C. Poujoulat
3 - Geraint Thomas (Ineos)
The defending champion had a moment of shock during the Tour de Suisse. After a bad crash, his dream of a second Tour victory appeared lost. But the 33-year-old Welshman can and will be at the Tour. His preparation wasn't perfect - this year won't be as comfortable as last year. Prediction: He'll still be on the podium.
Image: picture-alliance/empics/P. Goding
2 - Jakob Fuglsang (Astana)
For years, the Dane found himself in the service of other top riders: Jakob Fuglsang rode for the Schleck brothers and was also in the shadows of the Astana team. Now he is captain and it's about time too. He has been the most consistent of all the Tour candidates, and has improved up the mountain as well. Prediction: He will get very close to the yellow jersey.
Image: Imago/Sirotti
1 - Egan Bernal (Ineos)
Viva Colombia! The cycling-crazy nation is excited about the next star, one who will enrapture his home country. Egan Bernal has shown exceptional performances of late and as a member of Ineos, he is on one of the strongest teams. At the Tour de Suisse, he was unbeatable. Now he could put his stamp on the Tour. Prediction: He will have Colombia celebrating.