Flevoland   

Flevoland is definitely one of the most special parts of The Netherlands. With its totally flat landscapes and mostly only fields as far as one can see, it might seem really boring, but its history is fascinating. Only since 1970, this piece of land actually exists. Before that time, the Zuiderzee ruled here, except for two little islands, Urk and Schokland. From 1930 until 1970, almost 1400 square kilometers have been drained...

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Flevoland is definitely one of the most special parts of The Netherlands. With its totally flat landscapes and mostly only fields as far as one can see, it might seem really boring, but its history is fascinating. Only since 1970, this piece of land actually exists. Before that time, the Zuiderzee ruled here, except for two little islands, Urk and Schokland. From 1930 until 1970, almost 1400 square kilometers have been drained, resulting in what is today called Flevoland.

The race starts in the oldest part of Flevoland, the only ‘real’ part of it: Urk. Still now, the inhabitants feel like being islanders, and still, it has the biggest fishing fleet of the whole Netherlands. After Urk has been left, a small tour through the northern part of Flevoland will be made, the Noordoostpolder. After 25 kilometers, the Ketelmeer will be crossed, which is essentially the estuary of the IJssel, one of the biggest rivers in The Netherlands.

Dronten, Biddinghuizen and Almere will all be passed, following windy dikes past the Veluwemeer and long and straight roads through all the fields of Flevoland. After Almere, one of the most special nature areas of The Netherlands will be crossed: the Oostvaardersplassen, which is a really big and important wetland for all kinds of animals. By riding over the Oostvaardersdijk along the IJsselmeer, the wind will have free play almost until the finish is reached. In Lelystad, the city called after the man who designed the Zuiderzee Works, including the Afsluitdijk, the race will come to an end in a final great sprint.