Imagine yourself as the world champion even before the battle erupts

The 2021 UCI Road World Championships road races will be decided on the hills in and around Leuven at the end of September. As a cycling enthusiast, you can already become familiar with those decision-makers the day before the first road race of the World Championships in Flanders. On Thursday 23 September, you can already immerse yourself in the World Championships atmosphere thanks to the Flanders 2021 Ride Leuven. It is the ideal opportunity to get a taste of what the pros will be dealing with at the 100th edition of the cycling World Championships.

You will set off from Leuven on a tour of 60 or 100 kilometres on the Flanders 2021 Ride Leuven. The tour starts and finishes at the OH Leuven Stadium, Kardinaal Mercierlaan 46, 3001 Leuven. Those opting for the 60-kilometre route can start between 12.30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. Those opting for the long route can start between 12.30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. Make sure you reach the finish before 7.30 p.m.

The short route

The short route takes you on a tour of 60 kilometres, which takes in six climbs. In total, there will be 554 metres of elevation to conquer. The circuit will first take you through the centre of Leuven, where four climbs await you. Two kilometres later, you will already make a start on the Sint-Antoniusberg (230m | 5.5% avg. | 11% max.). After that, the Keizersberg (290 m | 6.6% avg. | 9% max.), Decouxlaan (975 m | 2.5% avg. | 6% max.) and the Wijnpers (360 m | 8% avg. | 9% max.).

After the descent from the Wijnpers, you head for the Flandrienlus. Thirty kilometres further on, you will reach Veeweidestraat (480m | 5,2% avg. | 12% max.). Before the finish, there is still the steep Smeysberg (700m | 8.8% avg. | 16% max.). Afterwards, you return to the start.

The long route

Those opting for the long route of 100 kilometres will not return to Leuven after the Smeysberg, but will continue down the Flandrienlus. Just three kilometres after the Smeysberg, you have already reached Moskesstraat (550m | 8% avg. | 18% max.), a difficult slope that you may easily call challenging.

After that, you head for the centre of Overijse, where you will have to ride to the top of the famous S bend, immediately followed by the Taymansstraat (738m | 5.5% avg. | 18% max.). Before finishing, the Bekestraat still has to be climbed (439 m | 7.5% avg. | 15% max.). A relatively unknown climb, but made for riders with a lot of explosivity. Having conquered 854 kilometres of elevation, you finally head off to the finish in Leuven.

Registration costs EUR 30 for the short route of 60 kilometres and EUR 45 for the full circuit of 100 kilometres. Children under 12 do not have to register and can take part in the Flanders 2021 Ride Leuven free of charge. Ample provisions are available along the way; insurance and assistance are included in the price. The registration form and more information can be found on the Flanders 2021 Rides website. See you then!