With a course running through the three regions and a finish under the Atomium, the Baloise Belgium Tour 2023 is more Belgian than ever. The only multi-day UCI ProSeries Road cycling tour in Belgium starts in Scherpenheuvel-Zichem on 14 June and finishes – as befits a national race – in Brussels on 18 June. Five stages and as many diverse courses may, as has traditionally been the case on this tour, produce a versatile winner at the end.
The Baloise Belgium Tour has a new look this year. Quite literally so, because not only the logo and visual identity have received a facelift, and the leader will also wear a new jersey. A striking one that plays with the various new colours of title partner Baloise. Moreover, Baloise and organiser Golazo have just extended their collaboration for another three years, until 2026.
From Scherpenheuvel-Zichem to Brussels
The basilica of pilgrimage town Scherpenheuvel-Zichem will be the stately setting for the official team presentation on Tuesday 13 June. That is also the spot where the first stage will start and finish on Wednesday, which will make a larger and a smaller loop through a large part of the Hageland with its tough hills. If the riders are in the mood from the outset, it could really explode here, as it did three years ago in the opening stage at the edge of the Flemish Ardennes.
On day two, it goes from Merelbeke to the coast, where the traditional arrival is on the Wandelaar in Knokke-Heist. The time trial in Beveren on Friday is 15 km with long straight stretches. On Saturday, climbers will come into their own in and around Durbuy. The stage is almost identical to last year’s when the strongest riders emerged despite the sweltering heat. Quinten Hermans won the queen stage and Swiss rider Mauro Schmid took the leader’s jersey, which he did not relinquish anymore. Whoever wants to win the Baloise Belgium Tour must finish in front here again this year.
The real finale on Sunday, will be in and around Brussels. The start and finish are at the foot of the Atomium, but the entire Heysel Plateau will be living and breathing the race. After all, this is where the BXL Tour will arrive earlier in the day, which is the annual inclusive cycling event for young and old through the capital (starting at the Place des Palais).
After the start, the peloton first makes a big loop taking in the northern municipalities of Jette, Ganshoren, Koekelberg and Molenbeek riding towards Schepdaal and Pajottenland. This is followed by a smaller 40 km loop past Merchtem and Grimbergen, which the riders do three times. At just under 200 km, this is also the longest stage in the Baloise Belgium Tour.
Christophe Impens: “As organiser of the Baloise Belgium Tour, Golazo is particularly proud that we can call it a real Belgian stage race. Not only will there be racing in Brussels, Flanders and Wallonia in 2023, but that will also certainly be the case in 2024 and 2025. For the next three years, the final stage of the Baloise Belgium Tour will have a stunning finish in the shadow of the Atomium, an internationally renowned Brussels and Belgian symbol. We are also very happy that we have just been able to extend our collaboration with title partner Baloise for another three years.”
Philippe Close, Mayor of Brussels, is delighted with a first for the capital: “We are very happy to welcome the Baloise Belgium Tour to Brussels for the first time. We know that Belgians value cycling highly, but Brussels is also a cycle-friendly city. We also want to encourage our youth to embrace this discipline in their city.”
Brussels Minister Sven Gatz, charged with the Image of Brussels: “It is with great pleasure that we – with our responsibility for the Image of Brussels – support this beautiful Tour of Belgium. This event will undoubtedly be another hit for the country of racing that is Belgium. We are expecting tens of thousands of spectators in Brussels. They will come for the race, but they will also enjoy our many Brussels assets, the wonderful architecture and monuments, museums, our hospitality industry, the beautiful squares and parks and the many leisure facilities.”
“Both amateurs and the greatest athletes will gather under the Atomium for a grand national cycling festival. The BXL Tour and Tour of Belgium will join forces to celebrate cycling,” said Benoit Hellings, Councillor for Sport of the City of Brussels. “This cycling festival allows us to show our commitment to making Brussels a cycling capital for everyone again, every day!”
“Baloise is once again the proud main sponsor of the Baloise Belgium Tour for the next 3 years. This year more than ever, the Tour is a national stage race with stages finishing in Durbuy and Brussels. As a Belgian insurer, we want to create a total experience for riders and supporters. This year, Baloise is also partner of the BXL Tour giving cycling fans the experience of cycling through the capital themselves. Safety on and along the route remains a priority this year too. In addition, we will pay extra attention to our youngest supporters with three kids rides, giving them the chance to practice their cycling skills. On top of that, as in previous years, we are providing specific safety measures for the riders,” said Christophe Hamal, CEO Baloise.
Safety
Safety for riders is again one of the focal points in this Baloise Belgium Tour. In addition to the digital signposts already used in several spring races, safety partner Safe Cycling developed digital ‘obstacle safety lights’: poles that are used at dangerous spots are padded and will also come with a digital arrow above them. The Safety Turns introduced last year in dangerous corners are also returning, as will Boplan’s safety bumpers and totems.
Very Diverse Participants
It is still too early to share a concrete list of participants. But Alpecin-Fenix has already committed to sending Jasper Philipsen, one of the better Flemish spring riders who will find something to his liking in several stages. Lead-outs Jonas Rickaert and Ramon Sinkeldam and free rider Dries De Bondt will join the “Flame of Ham”. In the sprints, Philipsen can already expect stiff competition from Caleb Ewan of Lotto-Dstny and European Champion Fabio Jakobsen of Soudal-Quickstep, who are also counting on Yves Lampaert and others.
There is also room for a race with Special Olympics athletes again this year. They will complete a local loop at the finish in Brussels on the final day. That race, by the way, is part of a broader collaboration between organiser Golazo and Special Olympics and is part of the Nieuwsblad Cycling Series.
The Baloise Belgium Tour is also focusing on youngsters and is committed to helping children improve their technical skills on the bike. The Baloise Kids Ride will give young children the chance to learn to cycle safely. In the process, they will also be introduced to cycling as a discipline and experience an unforgettable day on the same course as the pro riders. Children between 6 and 12 can take part in the Baloise Kids Ride completely free of charge in Scherpenheuvel-Zichem on Wednesday 14 June, in Durbuy Saturday 17 June or in Brussels Sunday 18 June.
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SCHEDULE STAGES BALOISE BELGIUM TOUR 2023:
• Stage 1 – 14/06: Scherpenheuvel-Zichem – Scherpenheuvel-Zichem (165 km)
• Stage 2 – 15/06: Merelbeke – Knokke-Heist (175.7 km)
• Stage 3 – 16/06: Beveren (individual time trial 15.2 km)
• Stage 4 – 17/06: Durbuy – Durbuy (172.6 km)
• Stage 5 – 18/06: Brussels – Brussels (194.8 km)
