With two -time stage winner Thijmen Arensman and Jonathan Milan, winner of De Groene Trui, there will be several cycling top players at the start of the Tour on Monday. The event in Boxmeer is again attracting tens of thousands of people this year. Certainly not all spectators come around the church for the forty laps. “It is one of the nicest days of the year for us,” says Marco van den Berg from Sint Anthonis.
On the table is a beer and occasionally he looks to the left when the women cycle over the course in Boxmeer. “I think this event is great and never skip it in recent years,” says Marco. “I always like to watch a beer and also watch sports and full bowl.”
That is also the fellow countryman Paul Sommers, who calls it great that so many famous cyclists are driving through the streets of Boxmeer. “I love cycling. And what could be better to see your cycling heroes near home. I am sometimes worried about the future of criteria. It is hoping that Boxmeer will keep it up. Next year is the fiftieth edition, hopefully even with the winner of the yellow jersey.”
A little further on, Mop Orchestra De Koekels from Boxmeer provides cheerful sounds. With the blast ‘Baila de Gasolina’, a group of men and women go hands in the air. “I was at the Four Days Marches last week and now to the day after the tour. Together with Carnaval, this is the highlight of the year. We think it is great as a mop orchestra to play here. I see who won on Tuesday morning on the news,” says Jolanda Wennekers.
After the women it was the turn of the children at the thick tire race. Such as the two -year -old Mirthe Logtmeijer from Almere, who caused laughing faces on the side on her balance bike. Thije Stolk from Boxmeer became second in his age category and received a hug from his father. “It was a bit of a bit of it,” while the raindrops fall out of the sky.
The men with crowd pullers such as Arensman, Milan and the brand new father Danny van Poppel from Moergestel come into action at 8 p.m. Arensman was pleasantly surprised about public interest. “Very special to see what my victories have detached in the Netherlands. I like to give the audience a nice day in Boxmeer and during other criteria. I feel everything that my body is on the limit of fatigue, but these few competitions can still be added.”
