Thijssen, De Lie, Groenewegen, Girmay and Kristoff starters in 76th Ronde van Limburg
On Whit Monday, the cycling peloton will be on the move through Limburg. On 20 May, it is not only the 76th edition of the Ronde van Limburg that awaits, but a dress rehearsal for the European Championships that will also be taking place in Limburg later this year, from 11 to 15 September. The Ronde van Limburg is thus the ideal opportunity to take another look at the Limburg Circuit, a loop which might turn out to be decisive in the battle for the European title in September.
The 76th Ronde van Limburg kicks off in Hasselt on Monday 20 May. For the fourth year in a row, Kolonel Dusartplein in the provincial capital, which is close to the finishing line of the European Championships in September, is the starting point for the Ronde van Limburg. The race gets underway at around 12:15, after which a race over 196 km towards Tongeren awaits the riders.
From Hasselt, via Kortessem and the Glinberg, the peloton heads to Bilzen, one of the Villages of the Ronde van Limburg. After about an hour of racing, the first passage on the cobblestones of the Maastrichterallee is the next challenge in Alden Biesen. As in past years, the peloton will be riding two local laps there which include the Keiberg.
Limburg Circuit European Championships
From Bilzen, the peloton sets course for Tongeren. After the first passage to the finish on the Eeuwfeestwal, the riders move on to Borgloon for the local laps. On the way to Borgloon, they climb the Kolmontberg and the Zammelenberg for the first time. Once in Borgloon, they join the circuit that will also feature in the road races of the European Championships in September. No less than three laps will be completed by the peloton, each including a passage over the Manshoven and Op de Kriezel cobblestones, followed by climbs of the Kolmontberg and the Zammelenberg. In September, those four obstacles will form the Limburg Circuit of the road races at the 2024 UEC Road European Championships.
At about 16:50, the successor to Gerben Thijssen is expected at the Eeuwfeestwal in Tongeren. For the road races at the European Championships, the peloton will leave the Limburg loop and head via Printhagendreef in Kortessem to the city loop in Hasselt.
Provisional start list
In 2023, it was Limburger Gerben Thijssen who was the one celebrating at the Eeuwfeestwal in Tongeren. This year, he once again starts for his team Intermarché - Wanty, alongside Biniam Girmay. If it comes to a sprint on the Eeuwfeestwal, as it has in recent years, Thijssen will have to deal with Arnaud De Lie (Lotto Dstny), among others, who was the winner in Tongeren in 2022. The Belgians face competition from the Dutch, since Groenewegen (Team Jayco AlUla) will also be starting. So is Kristoff (Uno-X Mobility). The Norwegian won the European title in 2017. Is his participation this time in the Ronde van Limburg perhaps a reconnaissance for the European Championships later this year? With the Italian Giacomo Nizzolo (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team), the Ronde van Limburg welcomes another former European champion.
Here is the full provisional start list.
This year's Ronde van Limburg is a precursor to the 2024 UEC Road European Championships. Supporters, who are in the vicinity of the course on Monday 20 May, can take part in a photo competition for which a vip ticket for the European Championships and a holiday voucher for Vlaanderen Vakantieland are just two of the prizes that can be won.
On Sunday 19 May cycling enthusiasts can visit Hasselt and explore the Ronde van Limburg course for themselves. The event ‘Hasselt Fietst’ offers a recreational and playful exploration of the pre-eminent Limburg classic for young and old alike. All info here: www.hasselt.be/nl/hasseltfietst/hasselt-fietst.
Want to know more about the 2024 UEC Road European Championships? Then surf to www.limburg2024.be and discover the route for the time trials and the city and Limburg loops that will bring colour to the road races.
