Eneco becomes the new main partner of Flanders Classics spring classics

Vilvoorde, 6 February 2025 - With just one month to go until the opening classic, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Eneco proudly announces a new partnership with Flanders Classics. As the new Main Partner of the spring classics, we are taking a significant step towards a more sustainable cycling sport. As a leader in renewable energy in Belgium, this partnership perfectly aligns with our ambition to become climate-neutral by 2035 and fits seamlessly with Flanders Classics’ efforts to make their races more sustainable.

For the next three years, Eneco will support both the men’s and women’s races of six iconic spring classics as Main Partner: Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields, Dwars door Vlaanderen, Tour of Flanders, Scheldeprijs, and Brabantse Pijl.

Accelerating the transition together

“At Eneco, we want to make a difference, not only in our own operations and installations but also together with our customers and partners. Sport, and cycling in particular, has an incredible power to bring people together. By collaborating with Flanders Classics, we can inspire a broad audience and take concrete steps toward a more sustainable sport,” says Bert Clinckers, Managing Director of Eneco Belgium.

Flanders Classics CEO Tomas Van Den Spiegel shares this ambition: “We are very much looking forward to this collaboration. Together with Eneco, we intend to take things to the next level and make our races greener and more sustainable. Back in 2022, we signed the UCI Climate Action Charter affirming our ambition to become climate neutral. In 2025 we start our road to reach that goal by 2035. This transition will follow a structured plan, implemented step by step over the coming years. With Eneco at our side, we are exploring precisely what those steps are and in what order they should be rolled out. But one thing is certain: from 2025 onwards, we will be putting even greater emphasis on sustainability.”

A race with impact

That a more sustainable cycling sport is possible was already demonstrated by Flanders Classics as part of EK Limburg 2024 vzw, with the organization of the 2024 UEC Road European Championships in Limburg, hosted by Hasselt and Heusden-Zolder. During the event, an extensive sustainability plan was implemented, featuring 100 action points across 10 themes. This plan now serves as the foundation for the sustainability initiatives of all future Flanders Classics races.

Tomas Van Den Spiegel, CEO of Flanders Classics: “Limburg 2024 was a big step in the right direction. A Greener Future, commissioned by the Flemish Government, conducted an impact assessment of the event. Based on their report, we recently received news that the 2024 UEC Road European Championships will be awarded an AGF certificate in the ‘Improvers’ category. This places us, as a sporting event, in a prestigious line-up alongside major international festivals and gives us an excellent foundation to refine our sustainability strategy for the years ahead. We are absolutely delighted to do this with Eneco by our side.”

Riding together towards a CO₂-neutral race

At Eneco, we believe that sustainability and sports can go hand in hand. By integrating innovative and green solutions into the organization of these cycling races, we are taking a step closer to a climate-neutral future together with Flanders Classics.

Press contact: Katrien Herwege – katrien.herwege@eneco.com