Eddy Merckx Bikes and Cycling in Flanders bring the soul of Flemish cycling to life
Flanders breathes cycling. Nowhere else will you find so many iconic climbs, historic roads and stories that have shaped the sport. Driven by that shared passion, Eddy Merckx Bikes and Cycling in Flanders, the cycling brand of Visit Flanders, have joined forces to introduce cyclists from around the world to the birthplace of cycling.
The first result of this partnership is the Ultimate Flanders 525: a unique 525-kilometre cycling route inspired by Eddy Merckx's 525 professional victories. It connects Flanders' most beautiful cycling regions with the legacy of the greatest cyclist of all time. From Tongeren to Ypres, riders pass iconic locations, historic roads and places that are inextricably linked to the history of cycling. To bring this challenge to life, American cyclist Brook McIntyre and Belgian cyclist Emiel Van Wetter set off together across Flanders. Instead of completing the route as a multi-day bikepacking adventure, they decided to ride the entire 525 kilometres and nearly 6,000 metres of climbing in just two days. Their journey forms the basis of an inspiring documentary that captures what cycling in Flanders is truly all about.
The first result of this partnership is the Ultimate Flanders 525: a unique 525-kilometre cycling route inspired by Eddy Merckx's 525 professional victories. It connects Flanders' most beautiful cycling regions with the legacy of the greatest cyclist of all time. From Tongeren to Ypres, riders pass iconic locations, historic roads and places that are inextricably linked to the history of cycling. To bring this challenge to life, American cyclist Brook McIntyre and Belgian cyclist Emiel Van Wetter set off together across Flanders. Instead of completing the route as a multi-day bikepacking adventure, they decided to ride the entire 525 kilometres and nearly 6,000 metres of climbing in just two days. Their journey forms the basis of an inspiring documentary that captures what cycling in Flanders is truly all about.
A shared vision
With this collaboration, Eddy Merckx Bikes and Cycling in Flanders aim to do more than simply promote a route. Both partners share the same ambition: to inspire people to discover Flanders by bike and to make its rich cycling heritage accessible to an international audience. The Ultimate Flanders 525 shows that cycling in Flanders is not only about performance, but also about the experience. Every kilometre tells a story, every climb breathes history, and around every corner awaits a new landscape or a legendary cycling tale.
For their adventure, Brook and Emiel chose the Eddy Merckx 525R. It was the obvious choice. Combining speed, efficiency and comfort, the bike is perfectly suited for long days in the saddle and demanding routes such as the Ultimate Flanders 525. Whether you want to complete the entire route or simply explore part of it, the 525R is designed to guide you confidently along the roads of Flanders. The complete Ultimate Flanders 525 route is available free of charge through Cycling in Flanders. Download the GPX, plan your own adventure and discover why Flanders has been home to some of cycling's greatest stories for generations.
For their adventure, Brook and Emiel chose the Eddy Merckx 525R. It was the obvious choice. Combining speed, efficiency and comfort, the bike is perfectly suited for long days in the saddle and demanding routes such as the Ultimate Flanders 525. Whether you want to complete the entire route or simply explore part of it, the 525R is designed to guide you confidently along the roads of Flanders. The complete Ultimate Flanders 525 route is available free of charge through Cycling in Flanders. Download the GPX, plan your own adventure and discover why Flanders has been home to some of cycling's greatest stories for generations.
