As thousands of British cyclists prepare to cross the Channel to Flanders next weekend, a small party of Belgians will be packing their bikes and making a trip in the opposite direction. Former pro rider Tommy van de Gehuchte and his "Aalter Vooruit" team are swapping the cobbles for quiet Kent lanes as they head to Folkestone to ride The Good Friday Sportive.

Tommy rode professionally for Jong Vlaanderen 2016 and Flanders-iTeamnova. A former team mate of Philippe Gilbert, he raced for many years against the generation of Boonen and Steegmans, and even against Armstrong and Wiggins.

Tommy van de Gehuchte claims the bouquet during his professional heyday.
Tommy van de Gehuchte claims the bouquet during his professional heyday.
Since retiring Tommy and Team Aalter Vooruit have made it their mission to participate in sportives, gran fondos and adventure races all over the world as a kind of post-sporting career hobby. Last year he took part in his first UK sportive, The Puncheur. Tommy had such a good experience in the UK that he convinced his friends to attend a UK sportive this year. In favour of supporting new events and organisations, Tommy decided to sign up for The Good Friday Sportiveorganised by iCycle Events which takes place in Kent on Friday.

The Good Friday Sportive offers a choice of three distances that explore the Kent countryside. The sportive features undulating terrain as riders tackle the North Kent Downs before descending to the Romney Marshes, where it flattens out for a swift run into Folkestone. The final climb to the finish is a testing one, but organiser Mark Trott promises the post-ride buffet will be worth the effort.

Tommy and his team are looking forward to meeting riders on the start line and will be there to answer any questions and offer advice. No doubt the Aalter Vooruit team will be showing their fellow sportivistes a trick or two on the road - to anyone who can keep up!

Online entry to The Good Friday Sportive closes on Wednesday, but riders can enter on the day. For more information and to register, visit icycleevents.co.uk.

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