It’s already the first anniversary of the Maison du Cyclisme Liège-Bastogne-Liège! Just one year ago, it opened its doors with a clear objective: to make cycling a driving force in local development. One year on, and the gamble has paid off.
A true crossroads for cycling enthusiasts, at the foot of the Redoute, the centre has become a must for cyclists of all levels.
A busy first year
Since its inauguration, the Maison du Cyclisme has organised around ten events. These have included workshop tours, conferences, themed exhibitions and meetings with leading figures from the world of cycling.
All these initiatives have strengthened the roots of the Maison du Cyclisme Liège-Bastogne-Liège in the region.
📈 Figures that speak for themselves
- 2,500 visitors in 12 months
- 22 signatures from major champions
- Around ten television and radio reports
- 3 temporary themed exhibitions
- 3 promotional exhibitions
- And that’s just for starters!
Some memorable moments:
- Bernard Hinault, who came back to Aywaille in person with his friend Daniel Baclez to exhibit his magnificent wooden bike.
- Francis Mourey, French cyclo-cross champion, unveiled the winter theme exhibition
- The Maison du Cyclisme supported the organisers of the ‘Henri Bensberg’ Walloon cyclo-cross challenge.
- Our collectors, Bernard Laloux and Vincent Piette, represented the Maison du Cyclisme LBL at collectors’ fairs in Dinan (France) and Quiévrain.
- We’ve welcomed many children from training courses, schools and cycling poles to discover our house and ride the famous Redoute hill on the virtual bike.
🚀 A fast-growing company
Recognised as a tourist attraction, the Maison du Cyclisme is now affiliated to the ASBL Attractions et Tourisme. It is also listed on the 365.be website.
Its Facebook page is full of unique moments. And now it’s also on Instagram!
The comments from our visitors and champions, both on the networks and in the guest book, are unanimous: praise and enthusiasm are the order of the day.
🎂 Celebrate your first birthday!
To celebrate its first birthday, the Maison du Cyclisme pulled out all the stops. The event was marked by a dynamic and festive weekend:
- Thursday 24 April: conference on the management of a women’s cycling team, led by the HR Director of SD WORX for the AKT-CCI (Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie Liège-Verviers-Namur).
- Friday 25 April: a major conference on the theme of ‘Women’s cycling: a more popular future’. Some great champions were present: Giorgia Bronzini, Audrey Cordon-Ragot, Ludivine Henrion, Marion Norbert-Riberolle, accompanied by Nathalie Clauwaert (Director of Belgian Cycling). They all signed our Wall of Champions.
The themed exhibition opened that day and will be on display until the end of August. It is accompanied by a mini-exhibition on Japanese cycling, with an exceptional piece that belonged to Hoichi Nakano, 10-time world track speed champion, thanks to ex-pro Fumy Beppu. Many thanks to collectors Bernard Laloux and Sébastien Bruyer for this loan. - Saturday 26 April: the champions led personalised tours, much to the delight of enthusiasts. Francis Mourey, accompanied by members of the Groupama-FDJ team, including Bert Scheirlinckx, also paid a visit to the Maison du Cyclisme.
- Sunday 27 April: the culmination of this festive weekend, with the Liège-Bastogne-Liège men’s and women’s race passing in front of the house!
🚴♀️ What happens next?
Year 2 promises to be just as promising. New projects and partnerships are already underway. The exhibition on women’s cycling will remain on display until the end of August.
Other surprises are in the pipeline:
- An exhibition on Lotto’s 40 years in the professional peloton
- A celebration of Eddy Merckx’s 80th birthday
- And a major exhibition dedicated to track cycling!
New exceptional items will also be added to the collection.
