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Tales from the Peloton
Time to Boogie!
Pro cycling's not all at fun and games, but it sure is when Boogie has his Fanclubday, as Wenche Oomes discovers.
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On November 24, the annual Michael Boogerd Fanclubday was held for official club members.
The location was the ENCI factory in Maastricht, a place where riders normally take a shower after the Amstel Gold Race. And at the strike of ten, the ENCI opened their doors to Boogie fans from Holland, Belgium and even Germany.
The day started with an autograph and photo session with Michael. With so many fans, it turned out to be a very long photo session! After that, the presidents of the Michael Boogerd Fanclub, Marcel Koch and Serge van der Krieken, declared the 2002 Michael Boogerd Fanclubday officially open. Meanwhile, everybody had changed their clothes for a ride with Michael through the beautiful sunny surroundings of Maastricht. For the less sporty ones, there was a walk.
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Although the Cauberg or other famous hills from the Amstel Gold were not on the route, it was a pretty tough ride for some of the fans. But with a little help from Michael, they all made it. Tired but content, everybody came back to the ENCI where lunch was waiting for them.
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After lunch, Ruud Beurskens, a mechanic from Rabobank, told the fans about his job. Together with Mark Uytterhoeven (a former cycling commentator from Belgium), he answered all the fans' questions. Then after a short break, it was Michael's turn: any one of his fans could ask a question, and Michael graciously answered them all.
The fanclub did not forget Michael's wedding with Nerena either, giving the couple a coffee machine as a wedding gift. After that there was a lottery with a lot of prizes, including some famous Michael Boogerd tulips and a VIP arrangement at the Dutch National Championships with a signed shirt from Michael.
At the end of the day all the fans received a ticket for a free McMichael Boogerd menu at one of the McDonalds in Maastricht. This was the end of a fantastic, well-organised day with a lot of enthusiastic cycling fans.
Photos
Images by Wenche Oomes
- Boogie happily lends a helping hand
- Boogie fans unite in Maastricht for an easy pedal
- Plenty of questions, but Boogie had plenty of answers
- Some envious onlookers check out the Boogie-woogie machine
