Discover 'On the Wheel of Eddy Merckx'

Discover ‘on the Wheel of Eddy Merckx’ ‘Allez, Eddy, allez!’

‘On the Wheel of Eddy Merckx’ rides you literally and figuratively through the bicycle race. In the Sportimonium, Belgium’s sports museum, you can experience together with many cycling legends the story of cycling races. Afterwards you can jump on a bike and ride through the beautiful rural region and get acquainted with the career of cycling icon Eddy Merckx.

‘On the Wheel of Eddy Merckx’ at the museum The Sportimonium is situated within easy reach of Antwerp, Brussels, Mechelen and Leuven. It offers a lot to see and to do for the active sports fan as well as for those with a more passing interest. In the spring of 2013 the Sportimonium focuses on cycling heritage and icon Eddy Merckx. A digital guide tells you, with an interactive quiz and an active game, the story of the highlights of cycling history and commemorates the striking moments from Merckx’s career. Eddy Merckx is the theme, but there are also diversions to other cycling heroes. In the museum you can observe the bicycle evolution, from the walking machine to the ‘boneshaker’ (with no tires filled with air) and from the elitist ‘dandy-horse’ to ‘the horse of the poor’. There, you will also learn that pep pills are of all times. On old bicycle race pictures you can see beer and wine on supply. A large swig of champagne right before the finals will make the participants that tiny bit more reckless, which allows taking more risks during the sprint. The Sportimonium wouldn’t be a sports museum if there wasn’t the possibility of active participation. Everyone can measure themselves against athletes. In about ten tests you can compare your physical fitness against famous Belgian athletes. If the weather is good, it is lovely to play traditional games in the traditional games garden.

Cycling routes Would you also like to explore the cycling heritage of the region on bike? That’s possible! Tourism Flemish Brabant, and tourism Rupelstreek-Vaartland designed three cycling tracks. Two of the tracks run alongside the Sportimonium. The first track, which has a length of about 50 km or 30 mph, runs through the breathtaking scenery in the green belt and brings you to the earlier Eddy Merckx bicycle factory. The two other tracks, which are each for about 40 or 50 km (25-30 mps) long, have a start northwards to Antwerp, which brings you through the region known for the building of velodromes, a very remarkable craft. The tracks are part of a network and can be made longer or shorter if wanted. Alongside the cycling tracks are 35 sign-boards with extra information about the region’s cycling history and the local international cycling heroes. Bikers with smartphones also can scan the QR-code, which brings them to the mobile website www.onthewheelofEddyMerckx.be. It contains extra information, anecdotes, cycling songs and pictures.

SPORTIMONIUM vzw │ Bloso-domein │ Trianondreef 19 │ 1981 Hofstade-Zemst │ t +32 (0) 15 618 222 │ f +32 (0) 15 618 221 KBC 431-4730501-72 BE38 4314 7305 0172 BIC: KRED BEBB │ Ondernemingsnummer 0432 228 733

Another nice place to get off your bike is Casa Grinta. Here, you can watch more than 300 signed jerseys of cyclers like Tom Boonen, Fabian Cancellara, Lars Boom, Jan Ullrich and Christophe Moreau. In this unique setting you can also taste a local beer or enjoy a delicious meal. Anyone who is up for a kick can test the bicycle pistin Elewijt or Wilrijk.

Cycling map and arrangements The map with the cycling tracks costs 2 euros and is obtainable at the Sportimonium, at the tourism offices and in the cycling cafés on the way. On the route, three big touchscreens are available to check the map and to get useful information in Dutch, French, English and German. If you only have one day to spend, then combine the cycling route with the Sportimonium, one of the few museums in the world which are acknowledged by the IOC as ‘Olympic museum’. Groups can choose to ride along with a former professional cyclist who will take the platoon along for a ride.

Organisation ‘On the Wheel of Eddy Merckx’ was released by Tourism Flemish Brabant, Tourism Rupelstreek- Vaartland and the Sportimonium, especially for the centenary of the Tour of Flanders. ‘It was self- evident that Eddy Merckx would become the flywheel, because he is a monument in the sports world and he lives in the region.’ ‘On the Wheel of Eddy Merckx' opens at the beginning of April. Info: www.onthewheelofEddyMerckx.be

Contact:

Liesbeth Salens E-mail: [email protected]

Tourism Rupelstreek-Vaartland Stijn Bogaert E-mail: [email protected]

Tourism Flemish Brabant Astrid Clymans E-mail: [email protected]