A new work of art on the Claudius Prinsenlaan will remind passers-by in Breda of the Spanish cycling race La Vuelta. It started and finished there exactly one year ago. The monument, a silhouette of the Irish winner Sam Bennet who crosses the finish line first, was unveiled on Monday by a proud alderman Daan Quaars. But not everyone is happy with it, because where is the statue for Pierre Kartner alias Father Abraham, for example?
Alderman Daan Quaars proudly looks at the white, steel-made silhouette of the cyclist who sprints across the line. In the meantime, he makes a video call with the man who pushes his ass forward in the artwork. It is Sam Bennet, the driver who won the third stage of the Vuelta in Breda on August 21, 2022 and unfortunately could not personally attend the unveiling. “He is very honoured,” says Quaars. “And can still remember the city and the victory.”
“This one cyclist is special enough because he won the stage in Breda.”
Breda has chosen to immortalize the event. “Sometimes it’s just nice to have a memory of a fantastic day,” continues the outgoing alderman. “How cool it was and how cool we all did that together. When you drive past here later, you think: Oh yes, here was the finish of the Vuelta.
Breda was definitely a great success as a stage location last year, but not everyone understands that a work of art has been placed in front of it. “We have to keep the level of tribute with statues, works of art and plaques high,” says Iwan Dienjes of the local LPF party. “And that’s not it for me when someone cycles through our city. I find that strange and exaggerated.”
It is no coincidence that Dienjes is concerned about the new Vuelta monument. He previously saw a motion for a permanent tribute to Pierre Kartner, who died last year, better known by his stage name Vader Abraham, die in the city council.
“Pierre Kartner still needs a statue.”
“Pierre Kartner has written music for 70 years and put Breda on the map and they don’t want that,” says Dienjes, still annoyed. “I think a monument to that cyclist or the Vuelta is a stupid choice and the wrong signal. A tribute no longer means anything. That is why a statue of Pierre Kartner still has to be built.”
Alderman Quaars can handle criticism well and says he would also like a tribute to Pierre Kartner. “I know there is contact between the mayor and the family. Pierre Kartner means a lot to the music world and Breda, so I suspect it will come. Together with the family and politicians, we are looking for the right time.”
The fact is that after a tour of the city center it turns out that the name Sam Bennet does not or hardly ring a bell with the Bredanaar. “I understand that,” says Daan Quaars. “But this one cyclist is special enough for us because he won the only stage of the Vuelta in Breda.”
After the unveiling, the alderman asks in the video call whether Bennet, if he is ever in the area, would like to come to Breda for a photo at the artwork. The Irish cyclist promises nothing, but thinks it’s all beautiful.