10 years in, verdict on the new Flanders route?

takethehighroad

After downloading the VIP brochure, the cheapest ticket for the OK or Paterberg is €325, with most options available for around €450

One package is sold as 3x Oude Kwaremont, and is probably the main reason the route goes round 3 times

andyrr

pinno said:

poweredbyidris said:

Having been lucky enough to be on the Kwaremont on Sunday (non-VIP), I can say that I'm all for the loops

If you are familiar with the area, you can move around and pick up the race at many points as it meanders.
Same as Roubaix but I see your point.

And it may be that the organisers / authorities also like the idea of reducing the numbers of spectators that are tempted to drive around (at speed) in an attempt to view the race multiple times.

mrb123

takethehighroad said:

After downloading the VIP brochure, the cheapest ticket for the OK or Paterberg is €325, with most options available for around €450

One package is sold as 3x Oude Kwaremont, and is probably the main reason the route goes round 3 times

Does that include booze??

poweredbyidris

pinno said:

poweredbyidris said:

Having been lucky enough to be on the Kwaremont on Sunday (non-VIP), I can say that I'm all for the loops

If you are familiar with the area, you can move around and pick up the race at many points as it meanders.
Same as Roubaix but I see your point.

True, but instead of trying to get around the area in a car, I could have a beer with the Belgian fans and watch the race on the big screen in between ascents, with a free bus at the end back to Oudenaarde

Pross

andyrr said:

pinno said:

poweredbyidris said:

Having been lucky enough to be on the Kwaremont on Sunday (non-VIP), I can say that I'm all for the loops

If you are familiar with the area, you can move around and pick up the race at many points as it meanders.
Same as Roubaix but I see your point.

And it may be that the organisers / authorities also like the idea of reducing the numbers of spectators that are tempted to drive around (at speed) in an attempt to view the race multiple times.

I used to follow Tour of Britain stages like that and it could be quite a push to get ahead of the race even when you could turn up on the best spots 10 minutes before they came through. With the popularity now on any decent section you wouldn't be able to park up in time to watch them so must be a nightmare on the big Classics to try to follow by car.

blazing_saddles

mrb123 said:

takethehighroad said:

After downloading the VIP brochure, the cheapest ticket for the OK or Paterberg is €325, with most options available for around €450

One package is sold as 3x Oude Kwaremont, and is probably the main reason the route goes round 3 times

Does that include booze??

Comes with Covid included, looking at those crowds.

I assume the Kwaremont is serving Kwaremont.
€450 buys you an awful lot of beer
When you can watch the whole race on the telebox.

takethehighroad

mrb123 said:

takethehighroad said:

After downloading the VIP brochure, the cheapest ticket for the OK or Paterberg is €325, with most options available for around €450

One package is sold as 3x Oude Kwaremont, and is probably the main reason the route goes round 3 times

Does that include booze??

It includes "non-stop open bar" which I would imagine is all the Kwaremont you can drink (which in my experience is 7 bottles)

ddraver

Pross said:

must be a nightmare on the big Classics to try to follow by car.

Nah, small car and a lack of care where you park, you'll be reet!

gsk82

takethehighroad said:

After downloading the VIP brochure, the cheapest ticket for the OK or Paterberg is €325, with most options available for around €450

One package is sold as 3x Oude Kwaremont, and is probably the main reason the route goes round 3 times

It's the only reason. They were quite open about it when they made the change.