Lucien 100
This year marks the 100th anniversary of Wontergem native Lucien Buysse’s victory in the longest Tour de France ever. Although we were unable to celebrate this centennial with a stage of the Tour de France passing through or finishing here, Deinze will certainly not let this anniversary go unnoticed. Here is a selection of the activities.
The Museum for Deinze and the Leie Region (mudel) is hosting the exhibition “GRINTA: Our Champions” through June 7. On May 1, the cycling route “Cycling with Lucien” will be launched, connecting Wontergem and other cycling hotspots in the region. And finally, during Open Monument Day on September 13 in Wontergem, there will be an event called “Cycle in the Footsteps of a Tour Legend!” Traces of Lucien are still visible in the village: places that remind us of his life (his home) and, of course, his final resting place. While there may no longer be tire tracks of his own in the landscape, the story of this cycling hero lives on more than ever.
The full program can be found at www.deinze.be/lucien100.
Rens Klaasse
