The Ronde van Vlaanderen (click here for video)

In 2000, I was lucky enough to be invited by a cycling magazine I was working for at the time to ride the course of the Tour of Flanders, known in Flemish as the Ronde van Vlaanderen. The course is about 290km long, and is dotted with steeep cobblestoned climbs. In dry weather the course is tough to ride, but this year, the riders faced rain, hail and stong winds - and, as is usual when the going gets tough, a local Flemish hardman won.

This photo from cycling website Pez Cycling News of Belgian champion Stijn Devolder climbing the Muur de Grammont on the way to his win captures perfectly what it feels like to cheer on the riders at the Ronde. Photographer Cor Vos has been shooting cycling for years, so he knows where to stand to get the best shots.

I returned to the Ronde in 2005 to cheer on the riders again. It is without doubt my favourite event of the year.

If you'd like to see a video of the winner climbing on the cobbled Muur, click on the title.