Muur - sahrana voljenog brda
Odmah nakon objave nove rute za trku kroz Flandriju lavina protesta pokrenuta je u malom belgijskom gradu poznatom po izuzetno strmom usponu Mur. Građani su bili podjednako razočarani i ljuti jer njihovo voljeno brdo više neće odlučivati pobednika jednog od najtežih svetskih klasika.
Protesti su kulminirali u vidu simbolične sahrane Mura. U nedelju 25. Septembra 2011. (na dan održavanja trke u Kopenhagenu) više od 500 ljutih obožavalaca održalo je protesnu šetnju u gradu glasno negodujući zbog teškog gubitka voljenog brda. Crni kovčeg nošen je od strane šest momaka obučenih u biciklistička odela koji su na svojim licima imali kartonske maske gospodina Vandenhautea, koji je vlasnik trke i novog neprijatelja broj 1 u ovom ćošku Flandrije.
„Nadamo se da niko neće pobediti Flanders i da će Bonen i Žilber uložiti žalbu na novu smešnu rutu. Mislim da jedino to može da nam vrati stare dane“ skoro u suzama govori jedan od protestanata.
Na kraju ceremonije povorka je, uz zvuke posmrtnog marša, stigla do vrha brda. Položili su kovčeg u malu kapelu, a građani su odali počast Muru upisujući se u knjigu žalosti. Na kraju ceremonije pušteni su beli baloni kao simbol nade, dok su mnogi od prisutnih vadili komade popločanja.
„Pošto Mur više neće biti korišćen uzimam kocku kao deo istorije. Ovaj kamen je sada kao relikvija“ kaže jedan od učesnika skupa.
Muur funeral
Only minutes after the new route of the Ronde van Vlaanderen was unveiled, a storm of protests broke loose in Geraardsbergen, the small city dominated by that notoriously steep, cobblestoned Muur. Citizens and cycling fans were disappointed and angry in equal measures – no longer would their beloved Muur decide victory in one of the most demanding spring Classics.
Their protest culminated in a mock funeral for the Muur. On Sunday 25. September 2011, more than 500 angry men walked through the streets of Geraardsbergen, weeping and shouting about the terrible loss of the loved one. A black coffin was carried by six men wearing racing Lycra and cardboard face masks of Wouter Vandenhaute, the owner of the Ronde van Vlaanderen and the new public enemy number one in that corner of Flanders. Others held a bunch of white balloons as a symbol of hope.
“We hope a nobody wins the Ronde and that Boonen and Gilbert complain about the ridiculous route. Only that might bring the old days back,” said one protester, almost in tears.
Eventually, the procession reached the top of the Muur, in silence now, with only a death march sounded by tens of trumpets. The coffin was placed inside the little chapel atop the climb and the people of the city queued to give the Muur last salute and sing a book of condolences. Finally, many of them wiggled out a cobblestone of the legendary Muur: “Since the Muur is no longer used, I take my part of history,” said one. “It’s like a relic.”
(BiciSvet.com/cyclingnews.com/Đorđe Pejković)
