Welcome to the Veenkoloniën!
This race will take place in an area formerly known as the Bourtanger Moor. After all the peat was removed and burned for heating the Dutch homes in the 16th and 17th century, long stretches of road next to canals remained in a windswept, flat country.
After Starting in the small picturesque village of Barger-Compascuum, the route will follow several long canals and straights along the S...
Read moreWelcome to the Veenkoloniën!
This race will take place in an area formerly known as the Bourtanger Moor. After all the peat was removed and burned for heating the Dutch homes in the 16th and 17th century, long stretches of road next to canals remained in a windswept, flat country.
After Starting in the small picturesque village of Barger-Compascuum, the route will follow several long canals and straights along the Sems line, a straight line drawn between the provinces of Groningen and Drenthe. Because the wind always comes from the southeast in this part of the Netherlands and the race goes in a northwest directing, windbreakers won't be of any benefit to the competing teams.
The route passes several one-street, long-stretched villages like Emmer-Compascuum, Zandberg (famous for it's appearance in the Giro d'Italia of 2002), Ter Apelkanaal, Musselkanaal, Stadskanaal and Wildervank.
The finish line is drawn in the narrow streets of the city centre of Veendam, opposite the Veenkoloniaal Museum. Here, the technical capabilities of the sprinters will be tested until the smartest sprinter or flat race specialist will win this Groninger 'Hell of the North' and the peat-shaped trophy will be awarded to him!
