Event Recap
CycleSummit Sports 2026 marked the first edition of a format created specifically for road cycling, gravel and MTB travel. Set in Oudenaarde, at the starting point of the Tour of Flanders, the event brought together tour operators, destinations and cycling travel professionals for several days of exchange, riding and shared experiences.
Held six months apart from the main CycleSummit, the Sports Edition offered a more focused setting for workshops, curated meetings and informal conversations. At the same time, Flanders provided the right backdrop: a region where cycling heritage, local hospitality and business opportunities naturally come together.
A detailed description of the offered Pre- and Post Tours as well as an overview of the attendees can be found at the bottom of this page.
CycleSummit Sports 2026 in Oudenaarde combined riding, business exchange and local cycling culture in a focused format for the sport cycling travel community. As the first edition of this new chapter, the program brought together shared time on the bike, curated meetings and informal networking in the heart of Flanders.
Alongside the rides and social moments, the business days added fresh input through workshops and discussions. Contributions from Michael Andersen, Kate Norris, GUIBO and Ewoud Lagring introduced different perspectives on collaboration, trust, product development and future opportunities in cycling travel. From there, the event moved naturally into 1:1 meetings, open conversations and further exchange throughout the venue.
Saturday marked the arrival day for CycleSummit Sports 2026 in Flanders. While most participants arrived throughout the day, others had already started earlier as part of one of the Pre-FamTrips. These first experiences were shaped by regional hosts and partners, including Visit Vlaams-Brabant and the Sven Nys Cycling Center, as well as local cycling specialists such as Go4Cycling, Flandria Cycle Tours, Golazo Travel and Flamme Rouge. By the evening, the group came together in Oudenaarde for dinner and the first networking opportunity
…is more than a venue. Located in the heart of Oudenaarde, it brings visitors directly into the story of Belgium’s most iconic race. Interactive exhibitions, virtual cobbles, bike rental and the Peloton Café make it a natural meeting point for cycling lovers from around the world.
Sunday brought everyone together on the bike, with a shared ride offering a first real impression of Flanders as a cycling destination. Starting from the Tour of Flanders Centre and continuing through the Flemish landscape, the day combined time on the bike with informal exchange, lunch and first networking. Later, the program shifted back into the historic centre of Oudenaarde, where the Mayor welcomed participants before Ewoud Lagring and Johan Museeuw added a local and cycling-specific perspective to the evening program.
From left to right: Vítek, Lucas, Iván, Jan and Johan, moments that reflects the open and personal atmosphere of CycleSummit Sports 2026.
…Sporthotel Hotond feels closely connected to the roads and landscape that define cycling in this part of Flanders. Its location in Kluisbergen makes it a natural stop for riders moving through the region — calm, welcoming and firmly rooted in the surrounding terrain. The Sunday lunch break of CycleSummit Sports 2026 took place here before the group headed back out onto the bike.
HOTOND Sporthotel · Zandstraat 4, 9690 Kluisbergen · www.hotond.be
…brings together accommodation, local cycling culture and the roads that define the Flemish Ardennes. As a Bed & Breakfast with its own cycling bar, it feels closely connected to the climbs, cobbles and social side of riding in the region.
Bergs & Cobbles · Maarkeweg 43, 9680 Maarkedal · www.bergsandcobbles.be
Few climbs carry such a strong reputation in Flanders. Since its first appearance in the Tour of Flanders in 1976, this ascent has stood for tension, chaos and pure difficulty. Stories of riders being forced off their bikes helped turn it into one of the defining symbols of Flemish cycling culture.
This climb is deeply tied to the tactical side of Flemish racing. It entered the Tour of Flanders in 1974 and later became closely associated with Tom Boonen, whose repeated attacks there earned it the nickname “Boonenberg.” Over time, it came to represent the moment when a race can suddenly open up.
Monday combined fresh input, structured meetings and informal exchange. First, the morning workshops introduced new ideas and sparked discussion. Afterwards, the focus shifted to scheduled 1:1 meetings. Meanwhile, many conversations continued naturally throughout the venue.
In the evening, participants gathered for a chocolate and beer tasting. Afterwards, dinner offered another relaxed setting for conversation and exchange.
A workshop on how cycling brands can build trust and increase bookings in 2026 through clearer positioning, stronger proof and greater credibility
A workshop on how VISITFLANDERS works with cycling tour operators through clear target groups, dedicated trade tools, local partners and hands-on experiences in the destination.
How tour operators can create customer loyalty by shaping the experience before, during and after the trip, not just through navigation, but through emotion, identity and touchpoints.
Turning bike trips into lasting customer relationships through emotional touchpoints, brand identity and memorable experiences before, during and after travel.
Tuesday marked the final stage of CycleSummit Sports 2026 in Oudenaarde. In the morning, participants came together once more for meetings and informal networking.
Later that day, some participants began their journey home, while others continued with one of the Post FamTrips.
With the final rides, farewells and onward journeys, CycleSummit Sports 2026 came to a close in Oudenaarde. As the first edition of this focused format, it brought together a smaller group of participants who share the same passion for sport-oriented cycling travel. At the same time, the event created a personal setting for exchange and opened a new chapter for the CycleSummit format.
What remained were shared impressions, new connections and many conversations that will continue beyond the event.
Transfers from Leuven to the Sven Nys Cycling Center. 42 km gravel tour through the Hageland region with rolling hills, fruit trees and vineyards. Lunch at Velo Food & Drinks, visit to the Cycling Center, and a visit to De Coureur Brewery in Leuven with a tour and beer tasting. Train to Oudenaarde in the evening.
🗺 View Route
Transfer from Oudenaarde to Ypres. Visit the Cloth Hall, Belfry and the Menin Gate. 59 km road cycling through Flanders Fields with historic sites and Gent-Wevelgem climbs including the Kemmelberg. Lunch en route and a stop at a cycling café. Transfer back to Oudenaarde.
🗺 View Route
Join the annual Ename Classic Sportive with bike pick-up at the Center Tour of Flanders. Choose your distance: 65 km, 90 km, 120 km or 150 km. Challenging climbs, smooth transitions and breathtaking Flemish Ardennes landscapes with feed stations along the route.
Transfer to Ghent and lunch in the city. 48 km road cycling tour through Ghent's medieval streets, riverbanks and scenic surroundings. Visit to local steel bike manufacturer Jaegher. Wrap up with a local beer or coffee at a cycling bar until 18:00. Direct train Ghent → Brussels Airport in 55 min.
🗺 View Route
Home of the 2024 Gravel World Championships. Train to Leuven, lunch in the city centre. 50 km gravel tour through forests and fields. Shower and tasting at De Coureur Brewery before heading to the station. Leuven → Brussels Airport by train in just 13 minutes.
🗺 View Route
Transfer from Oudenaarde to Ypres with bike pick-up and lunch on site. Visit the Cloth Hall, Belfry and Menin Gate. 59 km road cycling through Flanders Fields including the Kemmelberg. Stop at a cycling café, shower, transfer back to Oudenaarde. Return to Brussels Airport approx. 1h 12 min.
🗺 View RouteCycleSummit Sports 2026 — Oudenaarde, Belgium
Abicyclette Voyages
Argan Xtreme Sports
Bike In Time
Bikesul
Bizi Cycle Tours
Cycle Travel Club
CyclingHero
EON Tours
Epic Road Rides
Europe Bike Tours
Flamme Rouge
flandriacycletours
Fun Active Tours
Go4Cycling
GrCycling
GUIBO
Itinera Bike & Travel
Jonas Holidays
Kolotrip
Pedal People
Portugal Nature Trails
Puglia Cycle Tours
Red Dirt
Ride with GPS
Rutas Pangea
Saddle Skedaddle
Sardegna Infinita
Smålands Turism
Sondor Travel
SpiceRoads Cycling
Terranova
Top Biketours Portugal
TripHeorics
Via Panoramica
Visit Lahti – Nordic Gravel Series
Wheels Sport