- Koppenberg
Infobox Hill climb
name = Koppenberg
caption =Roger De Vlaeminck riding the Koppenberg.
elevation = 77
location = The Flemish Ardennes
start = Oudenaarde
altitude = 64
length = 600
gradient = 11,6
maxgradient = 22Koppenberg is a Unit m|77|0 high
hill inOudenaarde , theFlemish Ardennes ,Belgium . This climb is part of the route of theRonde van Vlaanderen professional cycling race and feared by many because of its steepness (22% on the trickiest parts) and because of its cobblestones. This makes the Koppenberg difficult even for top professional. Quite often, riders slow to the point of losing their balance, especially those at the back of thepeloton who have to dismount and scramble to the top on foot.Strategically, the climb has little importance: it's too far from the finish (in 2006, on km 185 of 259). Even if a breakaway forms on the Koppenberg it is difficult for riders to hold off the peloton in the finishing stages.
Koppenberg history
Koppenberg was first climbed by the Ronde van Vlaanderen riders in 1975 and featured annually until 1987.
In that year, Danish rider
Jesper Skibby broke away from the peloton early in the race and had been riding by himself when he approached the Koppenberg. With a lead of nearly two minutes, he began the climb but fell. The race commissaire, in his car, could not wait because the peloton was approaching. He ordered his driver to move and the car passed over Skibby's front wheel, destroying it but avoiding Skibby, while the rider and his bike were still lying on the cobblestones.After the incident, the Koppenberg was excluded for 15 years. After renovations, which included widening the road and re-paving it, the climb was re-introduced in 2002.
The Koppenberg formed part of the Ronde van Vlaanderen until 2006. [ [http://www.vrtnieuws.net/nieuwsnet_master/versie2/english/details/061107_koppenberg/index.shtml The 2007 Tour of Flanders] from vrtnieuws.net] Following further resurfacing in 2007, it was again included in the 2008 edition of the race.
References
External links
* [http://grahamwatson.com/2002/koppenberg/koppencover.html Koppenberg race photos on grahamwatson.com]
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