Tom Waes and Koen Wauters as hosts, Tom Boonen in the jury and Average Rob falls into the water: this was crazy race with homemade two -wheelers (Kortrijk)
Tom Waes and Koen Wauters presented the first Belgian edition of Vel’eau – © Stefaan Temmerman / Red Bull Content Pool
It was a unique spectacle in Kortrijk: under the approving eye of Tom Waes, Koen Wauters and Tom Boonen, among others, more than thirty teams on a home -made vehicle above the Leie. Average Rob and his brother Arno also made an attempt.
More than three hundred teams registered for the first Belgian edition of Red Bull Vél’eau, a race reminiscent of the iconic TV program On Land, at Sea and in the air. The goal? The bell ring at the finish and keep it dry. Tom Waes, Koen Wauters and Lies Vandenberghe were presenters. Tom Boonen, Timon Verbeeck, Shauna Dewit and Britt Dekker sat on the jury, they gave points on design.
Belgian cobblesty
In the end, thirty -four duos were allowed to venture on the course full of obstacles on Sunday. They did that on a homemade racing machine, two -wheelers in all shapes and sizes. , Among other things, were reviewed: a combi, a flying carpet, one smoske And the ‘Harley Dafietson’. The latter was allowed to crown himself the winner. With 12.85 seconds, the duo was able to set the course in the fastest time. The trophy for best design went to the sisters of the Laauwe law. « Because you don’t often see a perfectly finished combi cracking over the Leie. »
Waes welcomed each team at the start and sometimes literally gave a push. If the teams could keep it dry, they finished straight in the arms of Wauters. Unfortunately: more than not they ended up in the water before the finish. The trail came with hard -to -overcome obstacles. A real Pumptrack to make enough speed, a seesaw, fountains with the power of a complete fire station, a typical Belgian cobblestone strip and a very last narrowing « to really separate the chaff from the wheat ».
Average Rob and Arno The Kid soon ended up in the water – © Simon Mouton
Average Rob in the water
Only five teams reached the finish. Often with a car that lost some parts along the way. Did not catch it and almost immediately went into the water: Average Rob and his brother Arno. It could not be otherwise that the male duo also felt it tickle for this race. No shortage of willpower, but the finish was not achieved this time.
Read too. Mass spectators see ‘rug’ flying in water during Red Bull Vél’eau
« It was magnificent, » said Koen Wauters afterwards. « I had already seen some statuettes left and right, but everything from so close by was really exciting. The participants were super, the vibe here in Kortrijk phenomenal. All happy people who want to do nice and crazy. » Cycler icon Tom Boonen was on the jury, but would rather have been on a bike. « They had asked me if I didn’t want to open the track, but I wasn’t sure what to expect, » said Boonen. « Now a bit regretted that I said no, because it looked fantastic. »
A fresh dip in the Leie for Average Rob and brother Arno – © Stefaan Temmerman / Red Bull Content Pool
Tom Waes gave the proverbial, and sometimes literal, push in the back – © Simon Mouton
The jury rated the design of the crazy two -wheelers – © Simon Mouton
On the narrow strip it often goes wrong at the last minute – © Stefaan Temmerman / Red Bull Content Pool
The event attracted a mass of spectators to De Kaai in Kortrijk – © Stefaan Temmerman / Red Bull Content Pool
The teams must overcome five obstacles – © Stefaan Temmerman / Red Bull Content Pool
Tom Waes, Britt Dekker, Koen Wauters, Shauna Dewit, Timon Verbeeck, Tom Boonen – © Stefaan Temmerman / Red Bull Content Pool
The typical Belgian cobblestone strip was also part of the course – © Stefaan Temmerman / Red Bull Content Pool
Trophy for Best Design went to PrisonVelo – © Stefaan Temmerman / Red Bull Content Pool
The winners: Harley Dafietson – © Alessandro Volders / @Cyclingmedia_agency
The entire jury
