Image made by Dierik Potvlieghe

The part of Halsesteenweg in front of the church is legendary among cycling enthusiasts: from 1973 to 2011, one of the most beautiful and renowned cycling classics took place here every year: the Tour of Flanders. The final with the Wall in Geraardsbergen, the Bosberg in Galmaarden and the next 12, often blood-curdling kilometers, including the breathtaking straight line of the Edingsesteenweg to turn to the Brusselsesteenweg and then to the Hallebaan in Meerbeke, was one to lick your fingers and thumbs. Cycling history has been made here, here the sweat of the riders still beads. As a silent witness, the timeless image made by Dierik Potvlieghe with the matching poem by city and cycling poet Willie Verhegge remains. Two riders compete for victory, one triumphs, the other is left disappointed and beaten. Since 2012 people have been driving laps in the Flemish Ardennes to arrive in Oudenaarde. Since 2012 we have been talking about the real Tour and the one after Meerbeke.

Toerisme Ninove