The Vingegaard fever has broken loose in Boxmeer. The yellow jersey wearer, who booked his second Tour victory on Sunday, will show off in the professional round of Boxmeer on Monday. It has been 26 years since a tour winner was seen immediately after winning the criterion. “The whole village is upside down with enthusiasm,” beams round boss Pierre Hermans.
How luxurious does the cycling god come to Boxmeer? “By plane, several trailers, all options have been considered,” says Hermans. “He just comes by road, with a bus. Quite modest,” laughs Hermans, who breathed new life into the annual event in 2013.
It was only confirmed last Thursday that the Danish cyclist is coming to Boxmeer. “It is difficult to bring in such big names. Everyone had to pee on it. The team boss, his wife, himself: in the end everyone thought it was a good idea to come to Boxmeer.”
“He puts Boxmeer on the map. We hope for many more visitors than usual”, Hermans beams. “I get a lot of thumbs up in the village. Everyone is very proud.”
Even more big names do the Boxmeer criterion. Three-time Olympic skating champion Irene Schouten is at the start, as is cyclo-cross world champion Fem van Empel. Or other villages are jealous? “All of them. And that feels pretty good,” says Hermans jokingly.
Jos Deenen (35) puts the party tent outside. He lives practically next to the finish line. “It’s too big, it doesn’t fit,” he laughs. Is he already interested in the race? “I don’t care much for cycling, but because of Vingegaard more friends come to watch,” he laughs. Street resident Marita Bos beams: “The commotion, the atmosphere, it just becomes a popular party.”
Roundmiss
The organization had to look for a round miss at the eleventh hour. A third and final was only found last week. “I don’t understand that. Which woman wouldn’t want to kiss Vingegaard,” smiles the round boss.
Three times the criterion in Boxmeer was won by a rider who had won the Tour de France the day before. In 1980 that was Joop Zoetemelk and in 1984 Laurent Fignon. In 1997 the German Jan Ullrich won. So he was the last 26 years ago. Lance Armstrong came to Boxmeer in ’98, but because of the doping scandal he had to hand in his titles.
Incidentally, there was more news about the yellow jersey wearer on Sunday. Vingegaard has decided to also ride the Vuelta later this year. The Spanish round will take place from August 26 to September 17.
The program starts on Monday afternoon at half past one. At eight o’clock in the evening the pros start for the grand prix.