Koppenberg
Encyclopedia
Koppenberg is a 77 m (253 ft) high hill
in Oudenaarde
, the Flemish Ardennes
, Belgium
. This climb is part of the route of the Ronde van Vlaanderen professional cycling race
and feared by many because of its steepness
(22% on the trickiest parts) and because of its cobblestones. This makes the Koppenberg difficult even for top professionals. Quite often, riders slow to the point of losing their balance, especially those at the back of the peloton
who have to dismount and scramble to the top on foot.
Strategically, the climb has little importance: it's too far from the finish (in 2006, on km 185 of 259). Even if a breakaway forms on the Koppenberg it is difficult for riders to hold off the peloton in the finishing stages. In the 2012
course change the Koppenberg is moved to 60 km from the finishline and can be more decisive in the Ronde than in the old course.
In that year, Danish
rider Jesper Skibby
broke away from the peloton early in the race and had been riding by himself when he approached the Koppenberg. With a lead of nearly two minutes, he began the climb but fell. The race commissaire
, in his car, could not wait because the peloton was approaching. He ordered his driver to move and the car passed over Skibby's front wheel, destroying it but avoiding Skibby, while the rider and his bike were still lying on the cobblestones.
After the incident, the Koppenberg was excluded for 15 years. After renovations, which included widening the road and re-paving it, the climb was re-introduced in 2002.
The Koppenberg was again excluded from the Ronde van Vlaanderen because of its deteriorating and unsafe conditions in 2007
. Following further renovations that year, it was again included in the 2008 edition of the race
, and has featured in each edition since.
The Koppenberg hillside is also used for the annual Cyclo-cross Koppenberg
race. The cyclo-cross
course follows only part of the cobbled road, using some of the surrounding fields and roads for the other sections of the course.
Hill
A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills often have a distinct summit, although in areas with scarp/dip topography a hill may refer to a particular section of flat terrain without a massive summit A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills...
in Oudenaarde
Oudenaarde
Oudenaarde is a Belgian municipality in the Flemish province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Oudenaarde proper and the towns of Bevere, Edelare, Eine, Ename, Heurne, Leupegem, Mater, Melden, Mullem, Nederename, Welden, Volkegem and a part of Ooike.From the 15th to the 18th...
, the Flemish Ardennes
Flemish Ardennes
The Flemish Ardennes is an informal name given to a hilly region in the south of the province of East Flanders, Belgium.The area is distinct from the Ardennes, which is situated further to the south in Wallonia, France and Luxembourg....
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. This climb is part of the route of the Ronde van Vlaanderen professional cycling race
Road bicycle racing
Road bicycle racing is a bicycle racing sport held on roads, using racing bicycles. The term "road racing" is usually applied to events where competing riders start simultaneously with the winner being the first to the line at the end of the course .Historically, the most...
and feared by many because of its steepness
Slope
In mathematics, the slope or gradient of a line describes its steepness, incline, or grade. A higher slope value indicates a steeper incline....
(22% on the trickiest parts) and because of its cobblestones. This makes the Koppenberg difficult even for top professionals. Quite often, riders slow to the point of losing their balance, especially those at the back of the peloton
Peloton
The peloton , field, bunch or pack is the large main group of riders in a road bicycle race. Riders in a group save energy by riding close near other riders...
who have to dismount and scramble to the top on foot.
Strategically, the climb has little importance: it's too far from the finish (in 2006, on km 185 of 259). Even if a breakaway forms on the Koppenberg it is difficult for riders to hold off the peloton in the finishing stages. In the 2012
2012 Tour of Flanders
The 2012 Tour of Flanders cycle race will be the 96th edition of this monumental classic and will take place place on 1 April. The course was long and was held between Brugge and Oudenaarde.-Course Change:...
course change the Koppenberg is moved to 60 km from the finishline and can be more decisive in the Ronde than in the old course.
Koppenberg history
Koppenberg was first climbed by the Ronde van Vlaanderen riders in 1975 and featured annually until 1987.In that year, Danish
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
rider Jesper Skibby
Jesper Skibby
Jesper Skibby was born 21 March 1964 in Silkeborg, Denmark. He was a professional rider in road bicycle racing, and one of the most popular in Denmark, not only because of his talent, but also because of his wit and his constant banter...
broke away from the peloton early in the race and had been riding by himself when he approached the Koppenberg. With a lead of nearly two minutes, he began the climb but fell. The race commissaire
Commissaire (cycling)
A commissaire is an official in competitive cycling, usually seen with a copy of the racing rules, a stopwatch and a clipboard. Commissaires are similar to judges or referees in other sports — a commissaire is the person in charge of the race and the Chief Commissaire has the power to shut...
, in his car, could not wait because the peloton was approaching. He ordered his driver to move and the car passed over Skibby's front wheel, destroying it but avoiding Skibby, while the rider and his bike were still lying on the cobblestones.
After the incident, the Koppenberg was excluded for 15 years. After renovations, which included widening the road and re-paving it, the climb was re-introduced in 2002.
The Koppenberg was again excluded from the Ronde van Vlaanderen because of its deteriorating and unsafe conditions in 2007
2007 Ronde van Vlaanderen
The 2007 Tour of Flanders cycle race was the 91st edition of this monumental classic and took place on April 8.The day's break formed at kilometer 29 and included José Vicente García , Laurent Mangel , Enrico Franzoi , Maarten Tjallingii , Aleksandr Kuschynski , Evert Verbist and David Boucher...
. Following further renovations that year, it was again included in the 2008 edition of the race
2008 Ronde van Vlaanderen
The 2008 Tour of Flanders cycle race was the 92nd edition of this monumental classic and took place on April 6. The course was 264 km long and went from Brugge to Meerbeke....
, and has featured in each edition since.
The Koppenberg hillside is also used for the annual Cyclo-cross Koppenberg
Cyclo-cross Koppenberg
The Cyclo-cross Koppenberg is a cyclo-cross race held in Oudenaarde, Belgium, which is part of the Cyclo-cross Gazet van Antwerpen. The cyclo-cross race uses the Koppenberg climb that has been used many times in the Belgian Classic the Ronde van Vlaanderen. This is a very steep and cobbled climb...
race. The cyclo-cross
Cyclo-cross
Cyclo-cross is a form of bicycle racing. Races typically take place in the autumn and winter , and consists of many laps of a short course featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and...
course follows only part of the cobbled road, using some of the surrounding fields and roads for the other sections of the course.