It is the largest cycling criterion in Europe and the organization of professional wheel round Etten-Leur is proud of that. It takes them a lot of effort to bring all those world toppers to Brabant. And a lot of money. “But we really need the big names,” says chairman Ronnie Buiks.
Mathieu van der Poel, Thijmen Arensman, Primoz Roglic, yellow sweater winner Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, Lorena Wiebes in the green jersey and world champion Lotte Kopecky. Just some names of the field of participants on Sunday in Etten-Leur. “We are doing our utmost to create a great event. I am very proud of which names start here and also on the presence of all those thousands of spectators,” says Buiks.
The best riders in the world don’t just come to Etten-Leur. “Van der Poel was our number 1 on the list, we are very happy that he was coming. We would have liked Pogacar here too, but he really did not want to drive criteria. To convince Arensman, Ben Healy and Oscar Onley, for example, we picked them up with a private jet in Sunday morning in Andorra. Tonight we picked them back.” ”
He compares the professional wheel round with FC Barcelona football club. “Good players cost a lot of money. We want to have the toppers of cycling here. If we reach that level, then sponsoring would like to be there. With the help of many we have stimulated the big riders to come to Etten-Leur.”
“Eventually a goosebumps moment to see all those toppers.”
After seventeen editions, the organization looks to the future with confidence. Although the chairman is also aware that it is becoming an increasingly greater challenge. “It is a lot of work with our group of volunteers. A great challenge and ultimately a goosebump moment to see all those toppers in action on the day.”
According to Buiks, it’s not just about the big names, but also about the youth. “There were hundreds of participants in the thick tire race here this afternoon. We think it is important to stimulate talent development. These guys can perhaps become the toppers of the future.”
From the track to the road
Harrie Lavreysen was a world topper who also drove through the streets of Etten-Leur. The Olympic Baan cycling champion did not take it on the track, but up against his rival Jeffrey Hoogland on the road. The sprint cannon from Luyksgestel won the fight.
“It is nice to do this, although it is completely different than on the track. And we cycle here with a brake, that seemed wiser to us with this course.”
Lavreysen will prepare for the World Cup in Chile in the coming months. Before that he travels to a training camp in Portugal. “Prolonging the world titles is the most important for me. But I have also lost a world record due to a great time of Matthew Richardson. I would like that record back.”
