The VAM mountain in Wijster will receive a large artwork of a Drenthe heath sheep. It should become an eye-catcher during the European Championship cycling in Drenthe in September.
The artwork of 50 by 50 meters is drawn in the grass of the VAM mountain and decorated with shells. A Drenthe heath sheep should then be visible from the air during the European Cycling Championships, images as we know them from the Tour de France. Residents of Drijber, which is located at the foot of the VAM mountain, have contributed to the artwork designed by Bruun Feijen from the village. “On the spot where the VAM mountain is now located, sheep used to graze on the Drijberse marke.”
The intention is that the heath sheep will also remain visible after the European Championship cycling. “We assume at least three years,” says chairman Jan-Willem Nieuwenhuis of local interest Drijber. “The artwork is placed in the grass like a landmark,” says Dennis Schomaker, project manager for the province of Drenthe involved in the European Championships and the VAM mountain. Children from the school in Drijber are currently working on self-portraits that will be hung on the trees of the Berkenlaan along the course during the European Championships.
Castles book
In addition, there will be a so-called castle book for the European Championships, describing places of interest in Drenthe. As with the Tour, reporters can use this during their commentary on TV broadcasts when the environment is depicted. Some examples in the book are Wildlands in Emmen, the dolmens and Zweeloo in the context of the Van Gogh year.
On the VAM mountain, work is continuing on the new ascent and descent that will be used for the first time during the European Championships. The climb of about 450 meters goes to a height of 65 meters, making it the highest point in Drenthe. The climb to ‘Het dak van Drenthe’ has a highest gradient of 16 percent.
VAM mountain closed
In order to complete the course for the European Cycling Championships on time and to be able to work safely, the VAM mountain will be completely closed from 10 July to 27 August. The three existing climbs to which adjustments must be made and the descent can then not be used. The contractor will then apply sand and rubble pavement and the asphalt layer to the new bicycle course.
Participants in the tour of the European Championship cycling on September 17 will be the first to use the new course. After the European Championships, the new ascent and descent will be closed again to complete the work. Next spring, the new part will definitely open for recreational cyclists.