When Cycling and Windsurfing Meet: The Art of Beach Racing
It’s an unusual sight: a crowd of enthusiastic cyclists riding over breakwaters and forming massive echelons on the beach. Beach racing is a discipline that gains popularity every year and held its first Belgian Championship in December 2015. This Sunday, Bredene will be the stage for this spectacular event. We dove headfirst into the world of beach tires and mass starts and spoke with Filip Meirhaeghe and Daan Soete.
When you think of Filip Meirhaeghe, mountain biking and his silver medal at the Sydney Olympics automatically come to mind. However, the East Flanders native has mastered many disciplines. “I once stood on the podium at the Belgian Championship in track cycling's Madison event,” he notes with a smile. And he has an affinity for beach racing as well. In 2001, he won the prestigious Beach Endurance in De Panne, popularly referred to as "the mother of all beach races."
When you think of Filip Meirhaeghe, mountain biking and his silver medal at the Sydney Olympics automatically come to mind. However, the East Flanders native has mastered many disciplines. “I once stood on the podium at the Belgian Championship in track cycling's Madison event,” he notes with a smile. And he has an affinity for beach racing as well. In 2001, he won the prestigious Beach Endurance in De Panne, popularly referred to as "the mother of all beach races."
Mass Start
“Beach racing is totally different from mountain biking,” he begins. “It starts with the lineup, where everyone stands side by side. For the big names, a good spot is usually reserved. Then, there’s an immediate burst of power, with the wide group gradually stretching into a long line. The top riders produce incredible wattages. While amateurs participate, they have no chance of leading.”
Everything depends on wind direction. “The wind plays a crucial role. With a tailwind, speeds exceed 50 kilometers per hour, but into the wind, you won’t even hit 30. Cycling here means one hour for the outbound leg and two hours for the return (or vice versa).” Daan Soete confirms: “I rode from Oostduinkerke today, and it’s a real struggle to move forward against the wind.”
Everything depends on wind direction. “The wind plays a crucial role. With a tailwind, speeds exceed 50 kilometers per hour, but into the wind, you won’t even hit 30. Cycling here means one hour for the outbound leg and two hours for the return (or vice versa).” Daan Soete confirms: “I rode from Oostduinkerke today, and it’s a real struggle to move forward against the wind.”
Echelons
Success in beach racing requires riding in echelons. “You have to conserve energy and rely on other riders to take the lead. There’s always someone willing,” laughs Meirhaeghe. Soete adds, “The pace is so high that early breakaways are unlikely. Anyone who goes solo will most likely hit a wall.”
The former mountain biker inspects the sand with an expert eye, analyzing tire tracks. “You always need to find the hardest part of the beach to save energy. That can take some trial and error, as sand closer to the water is firmer but can be too soft if you’re too close. The ideal lane is somewhere in between.”
The bikes are, of course, a standout feature. At the Belgian Championship, riders must use mountain bikes, but beach-specific handlebars are allowed. Tires must be at least 40 millimeters wide. After extensive testing, Daan Soete opted for our Probe RS. Together with mechanic Karel Lenaers, he customized it with a racing handlebar and specialized sand tires.
The former mountain biker inspects the sand with an expert eye, analyzing tire tracks. “You always need to find the hardest part of the beach to save energy. That can take some trial and error, as sand closer to the water is firmer but can be too soft if you’re too close. The ideal lane is somewhere in between.”
The bikes are, of course, a standout feature. At the Belgian Championship, riders must use mountain bikes, but beach-specific handlebars are allowed. Tires must be at least 40 millimeters wide. After extensive testing, Daan Soete opted for our Probe RS. Together with mechanic Karel Lenaers, he customized it with a racing handlebar and specialized sand tires.
0,7 bar
Soete’s 60-millimeter-wide, minimally treaded tires stand out. “I run just 0.7 bar in the tires, which is typical for sandy surfaces and much lower than in cyclocross,” he explains. Meirhaeghe adds, “That makes sense—you want as much tire surface as possible to contact the sand. This means a wide, low-tread profile.”
On the breakwaters, Soete flirts with rim strikes. “There’s a difference in the types of breakwaters. Elsewhere on the coast, they’re short and dangerous, but in Bredene, they’re longer and more manageable. It’s like a giant washboard stretched across the shoreline,” he observes. “Still, accidents happen here every year. Many collarbones have been broken on these breakwaters,” Meirhaeghe recalls.
A Growing Sport
With its minimalist setting, unique race strategy, and specialized bikes, beach racing stands out from other disciplines. In recent years, these events have boomed, with the sport gaining momentum. Many professional riders are now giving it a try. “You can even see race footage on TV these days,” Meirhaeghe notes. “But if I see Daan leading on Sunday when it’s unnecessary, I’ll have to give him a scolding,” he adds with a wink.
On the breakwaters, Soete flirts with rim strikes. “There’s a difference in the types of breakwaters. Elsewhere on the coast, they’re short and dangerous, but in Bredene, they’re longer and more manageable. It’s like a giant washboard stretched across the shoreline,” he observes. “Still, accidents happen here every year. Many collarbones have been broken on these breakwaters,” Meirhaeghe recalls.
A Growing Sport
With its minimalist setting, unique race strategy, and specialized bikes, beach racing stands out from other disciplines. In recent years, these events have boomed, with the sport gaining momentum. Many professional riders are now giving it a try. “You can even see race footage on TV these days,” Meirhaeghe notes. “But if I see Daan leading on Sunday when it’s unnecessary, I’ll have to give him a scolding,” he adds with a wink.
