The challenges of Van der Spiegel, Flemish leader of Flanders

Tomas Van der Spiegel is 2,14 m tall and in his previous life he played basketball. When you go to the Belgian races, It is not uncommon to meet him, even if you rarely see him among the riders. Although he is the head of Flanders Classics , the company that organizes major cycling in Belgium – from Omloop Het Nieuwsblad to Flanders, passing through Ghent and others – Tomas prefers a behind-the-scenes roleIf you notice it, it's because, like the bell towers on the boundless plains of Flanders, it towers above the heads and dictates the route.

«I have always been passionate about cycling – says Van der Spiegel, in the opening of the Facebook photo – I'm Flemish, it's part of usSpring has always been the season of classics for me, now more than ever. Even when I was playing, I always had a passion for the business side of sports. So when The owners of Flanders Classics approached me and offered me to become their CEO.I didn't think about it for a second. It makes me so proud to be here."

Born in 1978, having played with the Fortitudo Bologna, the Virtus Rome andOlimpia Milan, His Italian is practically perfect, both written and spoken.He jokingly says that some days are better and some are worse: it depends on the stress. And these are weeks of fire, after that Last autumn Flanders Classics organized together with Golazo also the 2021 World Championships in Flanders.

How important is your role during the spring weeks?

Actually, for me it doesn't change that much (laughs, ed.), because I'm not too involved on a technical levelFor the rest of my team, I realize these are busy days.

We are used to thinking about RCS and ASO, but Flanders Classics is now also a large structure.

The difference is that we only have one-day races and that changes a lotIn any case, we are recognized as a third player on the cycling scene. Overall we are involved in 70 events per yearWe have the entire cyclocross season, many Gran Fondos, the great classics and the women's races.

Last year the World Cup was added, how did it go?

It was a challenge. The day of the pro race was comparable to a Flanders, so no problem. The trouble is that we had to put together eight days of events and the logistics of four distant cities were not easy. But in the end everything worked out well.

How do you go from basketball to cycling?

I've been here for four years and I think I've found my place. Cycling is a traditional world, my contribution could be considered innovative. Not having strong ties with the past and tradition, I can see things with less conditioning...

Among the new features, last year you adopted Boplan barriers: a big step forward…

If I have to say, after what I've experienced throughout my professional career, the stress of my role seems very minimal. It's there, but it's easily manageable. But there is one thing that still gives me anxiety and that is the safety of the riders and the public.It's not easy, we're not in a sports hall, a velodrome or a stadium. So anything we can do, even if it costs, will be an investment that is absolutely worth it. Barriers or volunteers, whatever. Safety on our roads is a great challenge, because you know well that In Flanders there is not a single road that is straight, not a single road that is wide.This is why volunteers and motorcyclists know they have a very important role.

Lots of cross-country and lots of road: what is the balance of power?

At the international level, the road matters more. At local level, cross has the same weightAnd this challenge of making it increasingly international is also very important, taking advantage of the presence of three riders like Van Aert, Van der Poel, and Pidcock who make it so spectacular.

Cross-country skiing on snow: ever had any doubts?

Now that everything has worked out, I can say that we were sure. But Our motto is that until you try, you'll never know if it can work.We tried. Val di Sole has proven to be a highly valuable partner and in the end it went well and that's why we'll be backThe cross is a very attractive product. The competition lasts for an hour, it's explosive, you can perform well with spectacular shots, women and men are already equal. It can become a product with a bright future. It's not up to us to take him to the Olympics, we can prove he deserves it..

How you do it?

It must be made increasingly international. Now Italy has returned, next year Spain will be there too. It's clear that the fans here would like it all between Belgium and Holland, but the aim is to create a widespread and attractive sport.

You mentioned habits you don't have and would like to eliminate...

My collaborators know that I am allergic to the phrase: "It's always been done this way." Cycling is a product that has potential, but it must accept new challengesSo safety is good, but we need to work towards a sport that will be as attractive in ten years as it was twenty years ago. Changes will be needed, which are not always understood..

What is your relationship with athletes?

I have some contact with them, with some I have more relationship, but my goal is to be a respected organizerI admire athletes a lot, I was one too and I know what it means to live their life. But I don't want to be friends with everyone, because I have to make my own decisions freely.

According to Tomas Van der Spiegel, is it possible to collaborate with the other organizers?

It's possible. It's difficult because they are different worlds. It would be useful. The two major organizers are tied to their needs, but I believe that teams should be involved in the business model, have dividendsWe've always said it, we believe it, and we'll try. We need to take small steps and bring everyone together, sit at the same table.

The opening weekend in Belgium saw the public back on the roads, not yet at the start…

We feel that the teams are not ready for full reopeningThey are always afraid, they want to protect the rider and for now they need to be understood. The next discussion will concern the reopening of the bus area to the public.At the start from the Ghent velodrome, it was spectacular to have the fans among the buses in the covered hall. It was a true cycling celebration. And while it's convenient for teams to be isolated from the press and fans, cycling needs these moments. It just takes patience.