Chasing the lion

‘Tomorrow is going to be hard work for you,’ shouts the head of press as he hands me my accreditation. ‘The police are closing off the through roads to the Kwaremont and Paterberg. They’re worried about the crowd sizes.’ My heart sinks. ‘Welcome to the Tour of Flanders,’ I mutter under my breath, though not softly enough, it seems. ‘Don’t blame us, blame the police – it’s out of our control!’ the gruff voice barks back at me.

Through force of habit I attend the race photographers’ briefing in the centre of Antwerp, where the familiar faces of moto drivers and photographers gather in the shadows of the Hilton’s corporate entertainment suite. It seems the rules have tightened, and only a few photographers on motos can be on the legendary Kwaremont and Paterberg climbs at any one time this year – news received with a groan of discontent from those gathered. With Covid restrictions no longer in force, police are concerned that crowds will be bigger than ever this year and are trying to make sure riders aren’t overrun by fans. Or, it seems, photographers.

A sudden rush of dread envelops me as I see the final riders leaving the