After event organizer Timo Rokitta created the RHS-RBX (Rheinhessen-Roubaix), his gravel counterpart to Paris-Roubaix last year, it was only logical that he would design a tribute to the Tour of Flanders in 2024. The inaugural version was held last weekend and he sent in this great report of how the event went.

In the pantheon of cycling, the Spring Classics "Tour of Flanders" and "Paris-Roubaix" hold an unparalleled place. These two historic cycling races are not only legendary but also full of drama, passion and challenges. Their history is dotted with epic moments, heroic victories and painful defeats.

The Tour of Flanders, also known as the "Ronde van Vlaanderen," has been held since 1913. It is one of the most demanding races on the cycling calendar, taking riders over cobblestone climbs known as the infamous "Helligen" and through picturesque landscapes in the Belgian region of Flanders.

The landscape of the northern Palatinate and along the "German Wine Route" is particularly suited for a special spectacle on cobblestone paths. Little-known to many pavé enthusiasts, the small steep climbs with cobblestones in the vineyards add to the challenge. Therefore, the character and profile of the original were adopted for the "Ronde van de Wijnstraat." The initial part of the route is fast to ride, only to end later in a metaphorical fireworks display of challenging cobblestone sections.

Former professional cyclist Udo Bölts was among the participants at the event. After the end of his career, he was finally set to make his pavé debut at the "Ronde van de Wijnstraat." Udo Bölts had participated in the Tour de France twelve times in a row from 1992 to 2003, completing the race each time. He never got the chance to compete in the Tour of Flanders professionally because he was always participating in the "Tour of the Basque Country" as preparation for the Tour de France. He became known for the phrase "Quäl dich du Sau" ("Torture yourself, you pig"), which he used to encourage Jan Ulrich to victory in the Tour de France 1997.

But now, let's go through it step by step: 140 participants were already somewhat nervous before the start as they embarked on the gravel adventure "Ronde van de Wijnstraat." The weather forecast promised nearly 20 degrees, but it turned out to be a cloudy day with 12 degrees and wind – typically Flemish weather, insiders would say. Just under half of the participants took on the long route of over 200 kilometres and 2,500 metres of elevation gain.

Initially, the track led along the Rhine, then continued on the flat through the Rhine plain. The heavy rain from the previous day turned the usually easy gravel paths into real slippery slides. 

The first refreshment station was located after 60 kilometres amidst the vineyards overlooking the Rhine Valley. After a hearty feed, including Belgian waffles, the route turned south, passing through, among other places, the medieval town of Freinsheim with its narrow cobblestone streets. At the "German Wine Route" near Deidesheim, the route abruptly entered the challenging part. This was followed by the infamous "Helligen," as they are called in Belgium. Cobblestone after cobblestone, always along the Palatinate Forest, which here merges directly into the vineyards. 

The gradients sometimes reached up to 15 percent, pushing some riders to their limits, forcing them to dismount and push. In Weisenheim, the route then branched off up into the forest towards the "Ungeheuersee," followed by a rapid descent through the Krumbachtal. Below the "Burg Battenberg," the fun was already over. Next came the next climb, passing by the so-called "Blitzröhren" (lightning tubes). 

Crossing the old picturesque village of Neuleiningen with its narrow, paved lanes allowed the participants a brief moment to catch their breath.

The participants eagerly reached the second refreshment station after about 150 kilometres to replenish their carbohydrate stores for the remaining 50 kilometres. In the Zellertal, as a finale, the roughest pavé passages awaited amid the vineyards, with a view of the mighty Donnersberg. The final climb on cobblestones was the so-called "Koppenberg" of Mörstadt, with its 15% gradient – a typical sunken road in the vicinity of Worms. A gravelled old railway track then led to the finish in the last metres.

Finally, after a tough 200 kilometres with 2,500 metres of elevation gain, the participants rolled exhausted but happy across the finish line. After receiving a handsome cobblestone trophy for each participant, as well as a cup with the event logo as a memento, it was time for the pasta party. With the "Ronde van der Wijnstraat," a true Spring Classic was born, combining challenging cobblestone passages with gravel paths – the perfect mix for gravel bikers.

For the year 2025, Timo is already thinking of another enhancement. He's already considering "A Day in Hell of Rheinhessen" – it's bound to be epic once again!

In case you fancy trying out Timo’s Ronde Van de Wijnstraat for yourself, you can find the 200 km route here and the 130 km version here: