The Project
A grand tour, the day before
Our goal is to ride the maximum number of kilometers of each stage of the Tour this summer. Goedele and her team cycle exactly the same course every day as the professional men cycle the next day. Despite the thorough preparation, this is extremely challenging, and quite exciting: Goedele cycles about half as fast as the pros, so we expect 21 days of +- 9 hours on the bike. Maybe we have to shorten rides to keep it medically sound, or because the weather conditions are too severe. The big goal is to cycle every day and arrive in Paris on Saturday 22 July! The athlete in Goedele naturally dreams of the full 3.404 km. Wondering where we're going! Discover the ride schedule that Goedele follows here.
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Who is Goedele?
She was not a cyclist. She became one by chance. When she was 30, she was diagnosed with estrogen-sensitive breast cancer. After two years of heavy treatment, she was able to participate in a peer project: learning to cycle (race) together from scratch and training for the Tour of Flanders. Five months later she rode that Ronde (235 km) and a year later she soloed the 1000 km against cancer, in 4 days. Sport as a health tool became her life story: for her own health, by coaching others, a new career, contributing to improving healthcare for future patients and sharing the message: a sporty lifestyle is the best possible investment in your health.
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The Team
This project is impossible without a strong team around Goedele. Jef Beneens and Toon Hannes are the strong pillars behind the project, as well as a whole team of cyclists and carers: strong volunteers who make sure that Goedele can cycle in optimal conditions! During the preparation, Goedele is supported by top professionals from Belgian cycling, and an equally impressive medical team.
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PXL students: our marketing team
During the Tour, 11 students from PXL Hogeschool Hasselt, together with study coordinator Steven Hulsmans, take care of the socials and marketing of the Queen Stage project. A win-win-win, because this way the rest of the team can focus on the sporting performance and framework, they gain practical work experience and the general public can experience the whole adventure from the front row!
