CYCLING EVENING: Les Cyclos du Cœur and Jean-Mi pass the baton to Color Code-Alu Center

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Les Cyclos du Cœur: enthusiasm and emotion

After Philippe Gilbert’s talk at the Centre Récréatif de Remouchamps, the Cycling Evenings returned to the Maison du Cyclisme Liège-Bastogne-Liège on 26 May to welcome Marc Duthoo, founder of Les Cyclos du Cœur.

Coming from a family passionate about cycling, he shared the story of this charitable initiative, launched in 2008 as part of Télévie. The audience learned about how Les Cyclos du Cœur operates, its many cycling activities, its annual rides of over 120 kilometres and its challenges on France’s great mountain passes.

Beyond sporting achievement, Marc Duthoo highlighted above all the friendship, mutual support and solidarity that unite this community of committed cyclists, whose success continues to grow year after year.

During the talk, the audience also watched a highlights film of Les Cyclos du Cœur’s latest cycling challenge in the French Alps, featuring a memorable ascent of the Col de l’Izoard—and an even more memorable climb up the Galibier.

The evening also featured a contribution from Vincenzo Ciuro, head of RTL Sports, who oversees the organisation. Attendees also watched a video message from Christophe Lefort, president of the Breton association Souffles d’Espoir, which also raises funds for cancer research.

While Souffles d’Espoir supports the Centre Eugène Marquis in Rennes, Les Cyclos du Cœur supports the Fondation Léon Frédéricq and research projects at Liège University Hospital. This symbolic connection between two associations sharing the same values of solidarity and commitment could pave the way for future collaborations in the fight against cancer.

Jean-Mi and Sandy’s experience!

To make this talk dedicated to Les Cyclos du Cœur even more special, we had the honour of welcoming one of Belgian sport’s greatest figures to the Maison du Cyclisme Liège-Bastogne-Liège: Jean-Michel Saive. A former world number one in table tennis, Belgium’s Olympic flag bearer and now president of the Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee (BOIC), he has maintained a special bond with Les Cyclos du Cœur since their first major challenge on the slopes of Mont Ventoux. Having also taken part in the recent ascent of the Col de l’Izoard, he will join them again in early July to tackle the Cormet de Roselend.

This edition will also feature Sandy Roemers. Left paraplegic following a cycling accident, this determined athlete will take on this iconic mountain pass for the first time on a handbike. At the talk, she movingly shared her story, her resilience and her motivation to embrace this new sporting and personal challenge. Her inspiring testimony deeply touched the audience.

Our heartfelt thanks to Jean-Michel Saive and Sandy Roemers for joining us, for their generosity and for embodying the values of commitment, pushing beyond one’s limits and solidarity.

Our next talk: a focus on the bold Color Code-Alu Center project

Join us on 30 June at 8 pm at the Maison du Cyclisme Liège-Bastogne-Liège for Cycling Evening #6, dedicated to the creation of the new Walloon under-23 team Color Code-Alu Center. We will welcome the two driving forces behind this ambitious project: Christophe Detilloux and Bertrand Lourtie.

A former professional cyclist, Christophe Detilloux rode for Lotto, Collstrop and Française des Jeux during his career. At Philippe Gilbert’s request, he decided to help develop a structure designed to support young Walloon talents on their journey to the highest level. Alongside him, Bertrand Lourtie, a former mechanic with Française des Jeux, brings his technical expertise and experience of professional cycling.

Launched a few months ago, Color Code-Alu Center is already fully active under the sporting leadership of Loïc Vliegen, a former professional rider who raced for BMC, Intermarché-Wanty and Bingoal, among others. The early results are very encouraging, including Matteo Melotte’s two victories at the Triptyque Ardennais.

This talk offers a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of building a high-level cycling team, from the initial administrative and financial groundwork to the development of its sporting programme. Attendees will also be able to speak with the founders and ask questions about the challenges, obstacles and ambitions involved in such a venture in support of Walloon cycling.

Practical information

For each new registration, please provide:

  • your first and last name;
  • your postal address;
  • your date of birth.

Payment instructions will be sent to you by return email.

For further information, please contact the Maison du Cyclisme at maisonducyclisme@aywaille.be or by phone on 0490/44.54.08.

Free admission for children under 12.