The hustle and bustle of excitable fans vying for the best spot to catch a glimpse of their heroes and heroines, the clatter of bikes smashing over the cobbles, plus the outcry and roar from the crowds that cover every metre of Flemish roadside and farm-tracks, undeterred by their muddy boots and rain-soaked jeans – there is something truly magical and special about the classics.
Riders battle the toughest of conditions often faced with howling winds, heavy rain and bone-shakingly cold temperatures; that sounds a lot before we even talk about the parcours. Twisting and narrow roads make for a stressful day out, and combined with the long distances, challenging cobbles and steep climbs; it is an incredible test of endurance, skill and valour.
It’s no surprise then that it takes a lot of planning to make sure that the race goes as smoothly as possible, both in terms of logistical on-race planning but also behind the scenes at our HQ with our team of experts, ensuring that the riders are as fuelled as well as they can be for those epic days in the saddle. Ahead of the recent Omloop Het Nieuwsblad we sat down with Team DSM Nutrition Expert Zoë Overzee and Team DSM coach Phil West to get all of the details.