It's all go for the Lotto 24 Hours Cycling @ Zolder on 27th and 28th September! Similar to our neighbouring countries thousands of cycle lovers are to be found on our Belgian roads, often battling with the elements. But also at Circuit Zolder, better known for its motorsport activities by the aficionados of the sport, every evening as from 18.00hrs hundreds of sporty individuals lap the circuit on their bicycles. In the meanwhile Circuit Zolder has advanced in this field, developing a real cycle centre on a professional level.
Amongst others the Flemish Cycle school of Marc Wauters has set up its headquarters at Circuit Zolder and with the financial support of the province of Limburg very shortly Circuit Zolder will be lit up so that cyclists will be able to continue training during the winter months. In addition a BMX-track has been built and with the help of the province of Limburg the "Terlamenhof" building has been converted into a true Cycle centre with reading rooms, showers, dressing rooms, cycle workshop, etc.
 Going along with this Belgian cycle craze jack-of-all trades and SRO GT4-top man Pascal Witmeur decided to do something no one had ever thought of: organising the Lotto 24 Hours of Cycling @ Zolder. A highly recreational relay event held over 24 hours for cycling fiends in groups, and in no way a student-like or folkloric manifestation. The Lotto 24 Hours Cycling @ Zolder is open to all cycling lovers with or without licence, where only real racing bikes will be allowed, as to be found in the classic bicycle races..
No less than 500 teams are expected to be at the start, with undoubtedly several well known individuals from the motorsport world: "Presently we have the confirmation that PK Carsport will be entering a team. The PK Carsport team will be comprised out of Anthony Kumpen, Bert Longin, various team members and colleagues from Ridley Bikes. Serious interest has been forthcoming from various other Belgian GT-teams and drivers. On top of that the A+ Racing Dodge Viper Competition Coupé , with amongst others Jeffrey van Hooydonk, will be defending our colours this coming weekend."
"An amusing initiative, which slots perfectly within my context. To keep fit I spend many hours on the bike, and as marketing manager of Ridley Bikes I'm in contact with the cycle world on a daily basis ", Kumpen told us.
 Timekeeping will be carried out using the existing equipment as used in the motorised sports. Thanks to the data collated each competitor will have the opportunity of 'viewing' his time, position, backlog or advantage every lap and this right down to one hundredth of a second! As with all motorised sports all these details will be on the screens in the various pit boxes also. Each competitor will be issued with an electronic ankle tag, which needs to be swapped with each rider change-over.
Some 2,500 cyclists are expected, not forgetting the 30,000 spectators, supporters and family members who will all be encouraging these heroes.
For additional details surf to www.lotto24hourscycling.be!
Pictures: Martijn Wouters
 VZW 24u.be - Gordon McKay on Wednesday 27 August 2008 at 14:13. | 
