COURSE CALENDAR. In Geraardsbergen and Merelbeke it is all about gold, silver and bronze (Lokeren)

U23s, juniors, newcomers and aspirants in Geraardsbergen (Wednesday, May 1)

What you need to know?

Belgian time trial championships.

Practical

All formalities: Adriaanstadion cafeteria, Zonnebloemstraat 5. First start at 11 am. aspirants and newcomers (m/f) ride 1 lap of 9.5 km. Juniors and promises (m/f) ride 2 laps or 19km.

Elite in Lokeren-Kemzeke (Wednesday, May 1)

What you need to know?

The organization is in the hands of Nering by Sport & Steun – Stekene Koerst. “We are the only non-commercial cycling organization in Flanders,” says Kris Van Duyse with some pride. “We organize two professional races, a race for women and various youth competitions. The De Maere and Van Kerckhove families preceded us and now we are also taking the step towards a 1.2 UCI competition. It provides an injection of quality to our course.”

That’s how it was last year

A large leading group split in the final. Frenchman Samuel Leroux beat Elias Van Breussegem and Michiel Nuytten in the sprint. Maxim Delrue finished fourth. The competition was then registered on the national calendar as a 1.12 competition.

Practical

All formalities: Sporting Lokeren Stadium, Daknamstraat 91. Start at 1:30 PM for 183.1km or 6 laps around Lokeren and then the passage to Kemzeke, where another 8 laps around Kemzeke are completed.

Elite women in Hamme (Wednesday May 1)

What you need to know?

Eddy Van Bunder is putting his weight behind this 1.2 race on the UCI calendar, the Cyclis Classic. May 1 will be the fixed date. The intention is to grow to a 1.1 competition.

Practical

All formalities: Sports Hall Meulenbroek, Kaaiplein 32. Start at 1:30 PM for 137km.

Newcomers in Ninove (Wednesday May 1)

What you need to know?

The organization is in the hands of Cycling Club De Redding, a club that has existed for over seventy years and organizes competitions on May 1st year after year. Local clubs provide a well-rounded field of participants. Every year riders from South America descend on Ninove.

How was it last year?

Among the newcomers, Klaas De Neef was the best ahead of Lucas Baeten and Liam Kiekens. Uruguayan Ciro Perez Alvarez won the juniors ahead of Milan De Page and Zion Herzeel.

Practical

All formalities: Tent, Vuurkruiserstraat. Start at 2 p.m. for 40 km (novices) and start at 4 p.m. for 60 km (juniors).

Newcomers in Erwetegem (Wednesday, May 1)

What you need to know?

The organization is in the hands of the Cycling Organization Erwetegem. The race is completed on the traditional course. Before the competition for the novices there is a gentlemen’s race.

Practical

All formalities: Transport Roeland, Smissenhoek 10. Start at 1:30 PM for 52km (gentlemen) and start at 3:30 PM for 67.5km (novices).

Elite women in Wichelen (Saturday May 4)

What you need to know?

The GP Eco Struct-Fietsen Thompson-Security Tools is the first competition of the SKM Ladies Cup and is organized by the Wielkes Pistons of chairman Christophe Scheire. There are three WT teams at the start: Fenix-Deceuninck, Human Powered Health and Uno-X-Mobility. The race ends in Wichelen and goes through the center of Schellebelle and over the Markt in Wetteren.

Practical

All formalities: De Cirkel Sports Complex, Pijpoelstraar 18 in Wichelen. Start at 2 p.m. for 135km or 6 laps.

Newcomers in Sinaai (Saturday May 4)

Practical

All formalities: Toon Hall, Wijnveld 251. Start at 2:30 PM for 64km.

Promises and newcomers in Merelbeke (Sunday May 5)

What you need to know?

The Merelbeek Cycling Friends sign up for a full-day triptych. Start and finish is in Sint-Elooistraat. The PK for promises is an open competition in which riders from other provinces can also participate.

Practical

All formalities: Brasserie De Oase, Hundelgemsesteenweg 1050. Start at 11 a.m. for 123 km (promises), start at 2:15 p.m. for 57 km (novices-first-year), start at 4 p.m. for 65km (novices-second-year).

Aspirants and minors in Leeuwergem (Sunday, May 5)

Practical

All formalities: Meeting center, Gentse Steenweg 306. First starts at 10 am (minimums) and starts at 1.30 pm (aspirants).

Outside the provincial borders

Wednesday May 1: elite 2 and promises in Mechtem, Veldegem and Kortessem; juniors in Ruddervoorde, Beerzel-Putte, Hoepertingen and Duisburg; newcomers in Ruddervoorde, Ramsel and Beerzel-Putte.

Saturday May 4: Liège-Bastogne-Liège for promises; elite 2 and promises in Assebroek; juniors in Wingene, Zwevegem and Helchteren; newcomers in Adinkerke (PK), Sinaai and Helchteren; women’s youth (PK) in Adinkerke.

Sunday May 5: Elite in Helchteren; Vlaams-Brabantse Pijl in Korbeek-Lo, Belgian Junior Cup; elite 2 and promises in Otegem, Koolskamp and Beerse, juniors in Hoeleden and Wijer-Nieuwerkerken; newcomers in Oetingen and Aalbeke, women’s elite in Helchteren; women-youth in Beerse.

Beyond national borders

Friday 3 and Saturday 4 May: Beloften Two Days in Terneuzen-Philippine, U23 Road Series.