On February 24, 2024, the latest edition of the Omloop Nieuwsblad previously known as Het Volk and as the Omloop van Vlaanderen (Circuit of Flanders) will be held, the first classic road race of the men´s and women´s pro-race road season.
I celebrated the first day of February by riding a revised Het Volk Gö Feldweg Omloop.
Het Volk
During World War Two the Flemish Tour of Flanders ran uninterrupted whilst the Liege-Bastogne-Liege held in Wallonian area did not. This suggested direct collaboration between the race and the Nazi occupiers of Belgium. The German policy of Flamenpolitik, led subsequently to Flanders being made part of the Third Reich unlike most areas under occupation.
Thus, post war, Het Volk was promoted as a morally less tainted alternative to the Tour of Flanders and it was called Omloop van Vlaanderen (Circuit of Flanders) on its debut.
Cycling has a history of races being held to promote newspapers, national identity and to make a political point, and both Het Volk and Gent Wevelgem are no different.
Revised Feldweg Omloop
This revised track follows public roads (8.5km), and the rest is a heady mix of Betonweg, asphalt feldweg, cobblestones, and 20 gravel sectors. The tour features sections of both the Gö Feldweg Omloop and the Gö Strade Bianche although sometimes we ride in the opposite direction.
Added is a stretch of gravel and a less busy with pedestrians route out from the velodrome.
My Bike
I rode my Omloop machine – a Crux cyclo cross bike that was good enough for Zdenek Stybar to win at World race level and equipped by me to flourish on a mix of Feldweg, cobbles, Betonweg and gravel.
Gö Omloop Tours: Mehr
Het Volk Tour: Mehr
The Ride – 49.52km
On Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/10675620946
20 Gravel Sectors (18km of gravel)
4 Kopfsteinpflaster Sectors (0.9km)
8.5km ca/approx. of road open to general motor traffic
41.06km is Betonweg, asphalt Feldweg and gravel
Elevation 193m
Velo Klubhaus 
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