Cycling's a funny sport. Ostensibly, it's simply about having a change of scene and soaking in the surroundings on two wheels. And for competitive cycling, we all know how a race works. Unlike other sports that have all sorts of peculiar rules, cycling shouldn't be too hard for everyone to appreciate at a basic level.
And yet the outsider perception is notoriously judgemental, finding no shortage of things to sneer about. Whether it's the (admittedly a little revealing) outfits or disagreements about how much space cyclists should be accorded on public roads, it is remarkable how opinionated people can be about something that brings millions of enthusiasts such joy.
In the UK, anti-velo sentiment seems especially ingrained. Even if it doesn't bubble over into full-blown resentment, there is a general consensus that cyclists are a bit weird. Interestingly, this dismissive attitude persists in spite of British cyclists dominating the professional sport for over a decade.
Since 2000, the UK has had more Tour de France winners (the biggest race in the sport) than any other nation. And though not a World Tour winner, Mark Cavendish is an international icon who is one of the most successful riders in history. Yet there is a clear disconnect between professional success and national popularity.
Not so in Belgium, which has cycling (both recreational and competitive) baked into its cultural makeup. Over here there is nothing unusual about donning your lycra on the weekend and cruising the countryside. The infrastructure is also far superior to the UK, with dedicated cycling lanes separate from many main roads, which undoubtedly avoids many of the clashes that pit UK drivers so staunchly against riders.
And so Belgium didn't need a Grand Tour winner to boost public opinion about the sport. All the same, Remco Evenepoel's victory in the Vuelta a España yesterday is monumental – the country's first Grand Tour champion in 44 years. It was a thrill to see crowds follow the action on a big screen put up in central Brussels.
At only 22 years old, fans will have high expectations for more successes from the young star. Even better, Evenepoel will provide inspiration to the next generation of riders, and perhaps some of the older ones as well.
Are you a cycling enthusiast or are they just a bit strange? Let @Orlando_tbt know.
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