The Tour of Flanders is now less than two months away, so preparations for Flanders’ most beautiful race are in full swing. The same goes for Tadej Pogacar, who sat on his former team manager Allan Peiper‘s bench at Berg ten Houte on Sunday. “Enjoy the little things in life,” the Slovenian commented in a photo he posted.
Peiper received the bench at Maarkedal in 2023 as a wedding present from his wife because Berg ten Houte has always been his favorite slope. “Sit and rest on my favorite climb” is written on the bench. “As a wedding present, she gave me a bench on my favorite climb, Berg ten Houte: a unique gift but one with so much meaning for now and then. Some cycling icons and friends came when it was officially revealed, and beautiful words were spoken. You can “sit and rest on my favorite climb” while hiking or biking. Thank you, Katrien ❤️,” Peiper wrote when announcing the bench.
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Pogacar sits on bench Peiper in Flanders
Pogacar took that to heart during a recon in Flanders on Sunday. In the bright sunshine, the world champion sat on the bench of his former team leader, with whom he won his first Tour de France in 2020. Peiper and Pogacar have always had a special bond, even though the team leader had to quit his job due to illness.
“Enjoy the little things in life,” Pogacar added with his photo. “Allan, thank you for this bench. This allows me to rest and enjoy the sun,” the Slovenian said on Instagram.
Resting is still possible for Pogacar, who will begin road season in a good week at the UAE Tour. After that, he will head to the Belgian classics via Strade Bianche and Milan-Sanremo, where he performed well last year. His preliminary program for 2025 includes the E3 Saxo Classic, Ghent-Wevelgem, and the Tour of Flanders, with the three Ardennes classics after that. The big goal is Flanders, where he hopes to score a photo a la Mathieu van der Poel with a rainbow jersey and arms in the air.
Photo: Tadej Pogacar on Allan Peiper’s bench at Berg ten Houte
