The fourteenth edition of the 1,000km bike ride for cancer charity Kom op tegen Kanker (Stand up to Cancer) has kicked off in Mechelen on Thursday morning. For four days, thousands of participants will cycle to raise money for cancer research.
The events start and end each day in Mechelen, with each time a different “midday city” in the middle of a 250km route. On Thursday, the starting ceremony began at 6.30 a.m. at Mechelen’s Grote Markt – the central square in the city’s historic centre – and the first peloton left for Buggenhout soon afterwards. The closing ceremony will take place on Sunday evening again on the Grote Markt, with the arrival of the pelotons and the announcement of how much money was raised.
Every day, the pelotons will thus pass through a different “midday city”. This year’s midday cities are Buggenhout, Essen, Peer and Bruges. The cities will give the cyclists a warm welcome and entertainment is planned for spectators and supporters.
An international peloton will also take part in the bike ride, covering its own 1,000km route from Orléans in France and joining the national pelotons at the Grote Markt on Sunday.
Cancer research
The proceeds from the event will contribute to patient-oriented cancer research, including studies into rare cancers and innovative radiation methods that can improve patients’ quality of life. Such research is essential, emphasised the organisers, and is often not funded by commercial parties. Every year, around 46,000 Flemish people are diagnosed with cancer.
