The
Koppenberg
This April 7th marks an historical landmark in the Tour of Flanders legend when, after a gap of fifteen years, The Koppenberg hill comes back onto the race's agenda. This is the same hill that spawned hundreds of spectacular images of cyclists running, scrambling - and only occasionally cycling - in the years 1975-1987, before the hill was deemed to be out of place in a modern bike race, and after Jesper Skibby fell over and was almost crushed by an official's car....
I visited the Koppenberg several times this winter, eager to witness the progress that had been made to renovate this pivotal landmark, for the hill needed a lot of work done if it was to be included in the race. It was like visiting an old friend, for The Koppenberg provided me with images that formed part of the foundation of my career so many years ago, not least the series of images of Skibby in trouble... The contrast between old and new Koppenberg cannot be understated, as I hope these pictures show, and it will be fascinating to see how much effect this 'new' Koppenberg has on the race...personally I can't wait!
This April 7th marks an historical landmark in the Tour of Flanders legend when, after a gap of fifteen years, The Koppenberg hill comes back onto the race's agenda. This is the same hill that spawned hundreds of spectacular images of cyclists running, scrambling - and only occasionally cycling - in the years 1975-1987, before the hill was deemed to be out of place in a modern bike race, and after Jesper Skibby fell over and was almost crushed by an official's car....
I visited the Koppenberg several times this winter, eager to witness the progress that had been made to renovate this pivotal landmark, for the hill needed a lot of work done if it was to be included in the race. It was like visiting an old friend, for The Koppenberg provided me with images that formed part of the foundation of my career so many years ago, not least the series of images of Skibby in trouble... The contrast between old and new Koppenberg cannot be understated, as I hope these pictures show, and it will be fascinating to see how much effect this 'new' Koppenberg has on the race...personally I can't wait!
