The Big Shuffle: 2017 Tour of Flanders route

[Scott SoCal]

Bruges is out. Antwerp is in and the Muur returns.

I must say, I'm bummed for Bruges. I don't at all care for Antwep but I like the Muur.

Change can be good, it can be bad. Sometimes change is just change. I think Flanders Classics pee'd on their shoes with this one.

 

[gooner]

Last 75km is the same. Don't think it will change much. Still good to see it return though.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

I don't care where it starts, really. It's still in Flanders, and they still ride in Flanders (Yes, I know in 1302 this was different). The inclusion of the Muur is great. No Bosberg is a pity though. And I hope they find a way to put it in with only 80k to go, could really become a new classic 'opener' of the race (and thus completely switching roles with Oude Kwaremont)

 

[swmlon]

I'm pleased the Muur is back on the cards. I'm not too fussed about the start, only because I don't see any of it with the Eurosport feed. It's going to add some spice to my own Flanders trip next week.

 

[PremierAndrew]

Great to see the Muur back

 

[GP Blanco]

Great to have the Muur back. One of the icons of cycling. Of course Antwerpen paid more than Brugge but the cgsnge of start won't affect the race.

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

Great to have the Muur back, but not a single km is West-Flandres is an effing disgrace

 

[Scott SoCal]

Flemish friends telling me Antwerp isn't in Flanders. Also Flanders Classics putting a cool 400,000 euro per year in their pocket without even allowing Bruges to bid.

Politics and money. Can't seem to get away from either. All we need now is rampant corruption and then we'll have the trifecta.

 

[bylbyl]

Re:

Flemish friends telling me Antwerp isn't in Flanders. ....

Erm... I live in Antwerpen... I can assure you Antwerp is in Flanders

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

Re: Re:

Flemish friends telling me Antwerp isn't in Flanders. ....

Erm... I live in Antwerpen... I can assure you Antwerp is in Flanders

Antwerp was a part of old-flandres (so were picardie and parts of holland) but it wasn't a part of the Duchy of Flandres. Antwerp was in fact a part of the duchy of Brabant. And that's why people are having mixed feelings (so am I). But it's ok Bruges will be the starting town of next years Scheldeprijs

 

[sir fly]

Re: Re:

Flemish friends telling me Antwerp isn't in Flanders. ....

Erm... I live in Antwerpen... I can assure you Antwerp is in Flanders

It certainly isn't in Walloon region, but I believe there's more than few that would argue it belongs to Flanders.

Anyway, the decisive part of the race is unchanged, so nothing major in that sense. Return of Muur is worth of praise, it's getting Molenberg's or Koppenberg's role from previous editions.
I don't know what to say about the change of start location... Antwerp instead of Bruges probably means racing away from the coastline, and that isn't exactly a positive thing. Some nostalgic arguments can be found, too.