Ronde tourists set record

This year the number of riders in the Ronde van Vlaanderen voor Wielertoeristen was the highest number achieved, with 19,000 people. Many decided to do the famous hellingen one day ahead of the Tour of Flanders because of the nice weather.

The wanna-be Devolders could choose between three different routes of 70, 140 and 250 kilometres, the latter being more or less the original course tackled by the professionals on Sunday. 3,500 riders opted for this version, with the official start possible at 7am.