Geraint Thomas grew up watching the Tour of Flanders and dreaming of racing it one day – the Belgian classic remains his favourite race, and this year he secured a top ten finish. This August, you have the chance to spend three days with him in Belgium riding some of the cobbled climbs made famous on that race.
Thomas, who last week clinched the first stage race overall victory of his career in the Bayern Rundfahrt, has teamed up with Thomson Sport to host the trip, which takes place between 17 and 20 August, with participants based in a four-star hotel in Kortrijk.
Among the climbs tackled during the two days of riding with Thomas– the distance covered each day will be between 70 and 95km – will be the Koppenberg, Oude Kwaremont and the Muur-Kapelmuur, and a pro snapper will be on hand to take pictures of riders.
After the first day’s riding, Belgian legend Freddy Maertens will provide a personal guided tour of the Centrum Ronde van Vlaanderen museum, while following the second day in the saddle, Thomas will host a Q&A session.
The Team Sky rider said: “Thomson Sport will play a vital role in operating this unique cycling experience and I’m delighted to be working with such a key player within the sports travel industry. I’m sure their unparalleled knowledge and experience across the sport and travel sector will deliver an authentic and memorable cycling experience for riders of all abilities.”
Clare Last, Operations Manager of Thomson Sport, added: “We are very proud to be working with Olympic Gold Medallist Geraint Thomas and are excited at the opportunity to help make cycling tours in Europe more accessible to UK riders.
“Thomson Sport will be working in Belgium alongside Allen Bridge of Polocini Cyclosportives who has a wealth of experience in managing UK based cycling events and is an expert on the Tour of Flanders.
“We will use our experience in many different sports to provide Geraint and his fans with an exceptional service and we look forward to working with him on future exciting cycling events”
Prices start at £869 per person including luxury return coach travel from Manchester, Birmingham or London, three nights’ half-board accommodation, a full CNP Professional sports nutrition package during each ride, a pro cycling coach to provide support and advice during the trip, the museum tour, post-ride meals, secure bike storage, two 12×8 photos in a commemorative folder and a unique “De Ronde with Geraint Thomas” goody bag.
Further information is available on Thomas’s personal website and on the Thomson Sport site, as well as by calling the company on 0845 121 2018.
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