Relive DCPeloton!

From the very start, we soaked up the unique atmosphere that makes our region a cyclist’s dream, by finishing at the legendary Velodrome of Roubaix and freshing up in the legendary showers used by the greats of cycling history. We could feel cycling history all around us. The past, present and future of cycling felt closer than ever—especially when we got to hold the trophy that, just two weeks later, would once again be claimed by Mathieu van der Poel, marking his incredible third consecutive Paris-Roubaix victory. 

Throughout the week, as we rode through the scenic, rolling hills of the Flemish countryside, we passed several World War I memorials, including the impressive Menin Gate in Ypres. This region of Belgium is renowned not only for its history, but also for its significance in the world of cycling, particularly as the setting of many cobbled classics. On the second day already, our riders got their first taste of cobblestones on the Kemmelberg, a decisive point in the UCI race Ghent-Wevelgem.

While highlights of the week included soaking up history and conquering cobblestone hills, there was also plenty of time to unwind. We enjoyed sunny, easygoing rides and took full advantage of moments to recharge – like our lively ‘pasta party’ with fellow DCP colleagues, a flavorful beer tasting at a local brewery, and a well-deserved rest day spent cheering on the pro men cyclists at the UCI race “Dwars door Vlaanderen”. That race brought extra excitement for our U.S. participants, as their fellow countryman Neilson Powless claimed victory over two Belgian riders – though the locals among us had been rooting for a different result.

For our ‘Queen stage’, which was also our ‘Social Ride’, we welcomed some extra support on the road, including former pro cyclist and now cycling commentator Ine Beyen. The additional support was just what we needed, as the route was packed with steep climbs and cobbled sections that define Flemish cycling. We wrapped up the ride in Oudenaarde, the iconic finishing spot for the Tour of Flanders, and celebrated  with one of Belgium’s most traditional dishes: stew & fries. Fittingly, fries—alongside cycling—were a running theme throughout the week.

And then came the grand finale: ‘We Ride Flanders’, where the participants took on distances up to 158km.  After a week of buiding fitness and finetuning cobble riding techniques, everyone finished strong – earning the right to call themselves true Flandriens for life! On the final day of DCPeloton, with our own challenges behind us, it was time to watch the pros take on the suffering. We headed to the mythic Oude Kwaremont to witness one of the biggest races of the year: the Tour of Flanders. As cycling greats like Pogačar, van der Poel, Van Aert powered by – not once, but three times – we cheered them on while enjoying delicious food and drinks. We were also thrilled to catch the women’s race as it passed by, adding the perfect final highlight to an unforgettable week. 

A huge thank you to all our participants for making this such an enjoyable and memorable experience once again – we truly hope you had as much fun as we did. It was a real pleasure getting to know everyone in such a relaxed, informal setting, where lasting connections were forged not only through shared challenges but also through plenty of laughter and occasional pranks. We’re also incredibly grateful to everyone behind the scenes who helped make DCPeloton a huge success, especially Kortweg Cycling Travel, Ariane Hotel, Gobik, all restaurants we visited, Luc Eeckhout for his guidance on the road and, last but not least, our very own De Clercq & Partners organisational team. 

On to the next one… in 2027! While we won’t be organizing the full DCPeloton week next year, we’re already looking ahead to bringing it back strong in two years. But rest assured, there will still be a Social Ride during the week of the Tour of Flanders in 2026. Stay tuned!