Last weekend, I had the privilege of attending a Dstny VIP event during the Tour of Flanders. I was excited to experience the race up close in person, because one thing I learned is that Belgians does two things very well, drink beer and watch cycling. I was not disappointed.
The event was held in a VIP tent right at the Kwaremont, which gave us an excellent view of the race. The tent had many screens so we could follow the race on tv. The food and drinks where great and the tables was nicely arranged with goodie bags for each guest and cutouts of the riders from the team, overall, the event was very well organized and the atmosphere was electric, with other cycling fans and Dstny’s guests from various industries mingling and enjoying the race.
The Tour of Flanders, also known as Ronde van Vlaanderen or simply “De Ronde,” is like the cycling equivalent of the Superbowl. What makes the race so special is its cobbled roads, steep climbs, passionate fans, and rich history. The cobbled roads, also known as pavé, are bumpy and uneven. The climbs are steep and narrow. It’s not only physically demanding but also strategically challenging.
The race is known for its enthusiastic fans, who line the roadsides to cheer on their favorite riders, waving thousands of yellow Flemish flags and chanting Flemish anthems. The amazing atmosphere adds to the excitement and adrenaline of the race.
The winners are considered legends and heroes in the sport of cycling, and their names are etched into the history of the race.
As the race progressed, the tension in the tent grew, and the cheering from the crowd intensified. Both the women and men passed by our location several times, it was so cool to see the riders fighting up the climb, the bikes bouncing, the rattling of chains and gear shifts almost drowned out by the enthusiastic crowds.
The deciding moments of the race was cycling drama at its best with a lot of breakaways and crashes. The energy in the tent was incredible, the crowd was amazing, it was like a big Belgian cycling festival. After the race all the guests gathered in a big part of the event area for a huge party and the DJ played everything from classic disco and soul tracks to Swedish house anthems. I was very surprised by the sudden change from professional business event to rave party, everyone danced and enjoyed themselves. I saw several CEOs get on the stage and dance with the DJ, and it was cool to see everyone wearing the Lotto-Dstny cap. It was an awesome party, but I unfortunately have no appropriate images to share from this.
De Ronde did not disappoint and certainly deserves its reputation as one of the most challenging and dramatic races. Lotto-Dstny performed admirably, and Florian Vermeersch finished twelfth, when considering who was in front, that’s a great result. I’m already looking forward to next year.
