Take a classic BBB Sunday ride, add a strong contingent of Elite 2 racers, and finish with cinnamon rolls: last week’s Renard Bakery Ride had all the ingredients for something memorable. But what exactly are Elite 2 riders?
Meet your racers
You might have noticed that the racing component inside BBB is now called Brussels Cycling Project 2030 (or BCP30, for short). BCP30 encompasses an entire pyramid of racers: from occasional Gran Fondo riders, through regular “weekend warriors” at the Elite 3 or masters level, all the way to Elite 2 racers.
Elite 2 sits just below the professional ranks. These riders compete in races much like the ones you see on TV: each team fields up to 6 or 7 riders (depending on the race), supported by a team car driven by the directeur sportif, often accompanied by a mechanic to provide food, bottles, and mechanical assistance. At designated feed zones, soigneurs provide additional support, handing up bottles and gels.
It is a world quite different from the typical Sunday club ride. And yet, we all share the same love of the bike. That was the idea behind the Renard Bakery Ride: to give everyone in the club the chance to ride alongside our Elite 2 racers and hear some of their race stories firsthand.
Family picture
As on every Sunday, the meetup point was the kiosk in the Bois de la Cambre. With riders from across the full spectrum of the club present, it made for a true BBB family picture: the classic black-and-white BBB jerseys mixed with the fiery colors of BCP30.
One by one, all six A and B groups rolled out, each joined by a few Elite 2 riders.
The B ride followed a clockwise loop, leaving Brussels through the Hallerbos and returning mostly along the canal, for a total of 52 km. The A ride took a counterclockwise route, heading first towards Enghien before returning via the canal, covering 83 km.
Baked goods after the climb
While the routes were quite different, both shared at least one challenge in common: the Rue d’Ittre Strava segment. The segment begins 200 m after leaving the canal and climbs for 760 m at a fairly constant 8% gradient, flattening out just before crossing Rue Hanigale.
Along the climb, BBB member and professional photographer Stefan Slavila was waiting to capture everyone giving their best. I was stationed at the top, where the suffering finally ended and riders were rewarded with delicious cinnamon rolls from BCP30’s loyal sponsor, Renard Bakery. In the beautiful spring weather, it was a perfect moment to pause and enjoy the break.
Riders were rewarded with delicious cinnamon rolls from BCP30’s loyal sponsor, Renard Bakery
The B1 riders arrived first, soon followed by B2 and B3. It was a little longer before A1 came through. Unsurprisingly, the fiercest competition unfolded there. As they approached the segment, one of our star Elite 2 riders, Gregoire Lemaire, even delivered a proper lead-out, launching the group into the climb before being overtaken by some very strong Elite 3 riders.
The KOM of the day went to Killian Hardmeier (Elite 3). Among the non-Elite riders, Damien Querbes posted the fastest men’s time, while Valentine Krug was quickest among the women (see below for the full results).
A day to remember
Eventually, all groups rolled on to complete their rides, well in time to catch the finale of Paris-Roubaix. And after hearing the stories of our Elite 2 riders, perhaps you watched the race with a slightly different perspective.
By the end of the day, one thing seemed clear: it was a day worth remembering… and not only because of WvA’s historic win. 🙂
Goeric Daeninck.
RENARD BAKERY RIDE "TABLEAU D'HONNEUR"
HILL CLIMB CHALLENGE – WINNERS
Huge congrats to our strongest climbers of the day, you truly crushed it 
Women
Valentine Krug – 3:07
Behind the scenes experience with Elite 2 team (race from team car)
Elisabeth Woeldgen – 3:08
€25 Renard Bakery voucher
Ingrid Delaunoy – 3:22
Petite Gourmandise box from chocolatier Jérôme Grimonpon
Men
- Damien Querbes – 1:59
Behind the scenes experience with Elite 2 team (race from team car) - Timothée Daeninck – 2:01
Renard Bakery voucher - Laurent Liemance – 2:15
Petite Gourmandise box from chocolatier Jérôme Grimonpon
🎁 SUPER RAFFLE – WINNERS
Congratulations to our lucky winners: all winners will be contacted by email with the details and next steps.
- Emiliano Marzoli – B2
€25 Renard Bakery voucher - Céline Domecq – B3
€25 Renard Bakery voucher - Laurent Droubaix – A1
Petite Gourmandise box from chocolatier Jérôme Grimonpon - Alice Bodart – B3
Petite Gourmandise box from chocolatier Jérôme Grimonpon - Hervé Moreau – B3
Petite Gourmandise box from chocolatier Jérôme Grimonpon - Tom Roelants – B1
BBB Pack (socks + cap + 2 bottles) - Mihail Ivanov – B3
BBB Pack (socks + cap + 2 bottles) - Valentine Krug – A2
BBB Pack (socks + cap + 2 bottles) - Dorien Verspui – B2 – Pack (socks + cap + 2 bottles)
- Christophe Smets – A1
BBB Pack (socks + cap + 2 bottles) - Ignacio Gimenez – A3
BBB Pack (socks + cap + 2 bottles)
Enjoy your prizes!
A special thank you to Renard Bakery
A massive shoutout to Renard Bakery for their incredible support: 240 cinnamon rolls waiting at the top – and yes, they were as good as they looked!
And on top of that… a generous extra touch with 5 additional boxes, which was hugely appreciated
Also, a big thank you to Jérôme Grimonpon for the delicious chocolates and continued support!
This was more than just a ride — it was a true community moment 
We can’t wait to see you all again for the next one… even bigger, even better 
