There are places where cycling is experienced differently. Where every corner has a story and every climb, a meaning. The Tour of Flanders is one of them.
But experiencing Flanders with Gobik is another story. Because it is not just about being there, it is about being part of it, gaining access to what normally remains behind the curtain and understanding the race from the inside.
Gobik outfits three professional teams in the international peloton. And that connection to the elite translates into unique experiences, designed so that our ambassadors can experience cycling in its highest expression.
This year, we invited a group of collaborators, including Daan Grosemans, Mark Heij, Kiko Galvan, Albany Burton and Sara Baceiredo with Cristóbal, her partner. We put together an agenda so they could experience the Tour of Flanders from every angle.
Thursday: arriving and starting to feel Flanders
The experience began in Ghent, where the group of ambassadors met for the first time. Upon arrival, a welcome pack was waiting for them, designed to accompany every moment of the weekend: cycling kits for every day, casualwear and a selection from the custom running line.
“It is always incredible to debut sportswear. New clothing equals extra motivation.” Sara told us.
That same Thursday, the first contact with the terrain came with an exclusive night ride, organized together with RPM and Flanders Classics. A nighttime route through the streets of Ghent that allowed them to discover the city from another perspective, sharing kilometers and sensations from the very first moment. The day ended as tradition dictates: with typical Belgian fries, putting the perfect finishing touch on a first day that already made it clear this was not going to be just any trip.
Friday: the challenge of the Paterberg
Friday was the first real contact with the essence of Flanders.
In the morning, the group headed to one of the most iconic points of the race: the Paterberg. One of the toughest climbs in the Tour of Flanders.
That is where the “Unlock Your PB” challenge took place, where the ambassadors put their legs to the test on a short, explosive and exceptionally demanding climb, to see who was the fastest. “Climbing the Paterberg as an ex-professional, the truth is it feels strange, since you always ride it in the race, gasping, without being able to enjoy anything, but this time with Gobik it was different and you enjoy every cobblestone.” Kiko Galván tells us, who was the one who set the fastest segment.
They were also lucky enough to see the professional teams ride by during their full course recon, including Tadej Pogačar and many of the riders from INEOS Grenadiers.
In the afternoon, the trip continued to Oudenaarde, where the group visited the Tour of Flanders museum. A journey through the history of one of the most important classics in world cycling.
“I loved the museum because it lets you see cycling up close and it has many interesting pieces. It is a highly recommended experience for those who love this sport and know Flanders, especially for its classic bicycles and its focus on the history of cycling.” Mark told us as we left the Centrum Ronde Van Vlaanderen (Oudenaarde)
Saturday: experiencing the race firsthand
Saturday brought one of the most eagerly awaited moments: We Ride Flanders.
The opportunity to ride parts of the same course the professionals would tackle the following day. There were different distances available, and each ambassador chose their own challenge. Mark and Daan took on the 166 km route, Albany and Kiko the 133 km route, and Sara opted for the 79 km course.
A route that, in Flanders, becomes a complete experience, as you understand the intensity of climbing every berg and cobbled sector. “It was incredibly fun and incredibly hard in equal measure. It really helped me understand what we were going to watch the following day. Riding in Flanders is completely different from doing it in Euskadi or Madrid. It’s another world, but a lot of fun.” Sara added at the end of her ride.
Sunday: inside the Tour of Flanders
On Sunday, Flanders transforms. The roads fill up, the tension builds, and cycling reaches its highest expression.
While part of the team experienced the race from a cheering point on the Kwaremont, cheering on the peloton as it passed, Sara and Cristóbal had access to a unique experience. Following the race from the inside.
On board an official car, right in front of the peloton, accompanied by a technician who explained every detail to them in real time: strategy, moves, key moments.
A completely different way of understanding the race. Closer. More real.
More than cycling
Beyond each day, each challenge, and each kilometre, what defines an experience like this is everything that happens in between. Living together. The conversations. Sharing with different people who are connected by the same passion.
“This weekend with Gobik in Belgium has been very special. I’ve really enjoyed the people, the cobbles, and cycling itself, and it’s a big thing to say because I’ve spent my whole life on a bike, but this time it was different” Kiko tells us about his experience in Flanders.
