The Paterberg comes alive: A day well spent on the Tour of Flanders’ final hill

Photographer James Startt recently offered a unique perspective on the Tour of Flanders, spending his Ronde Sunday embedded in a ditch on the infamous Paterberg climb. His objective was to capture the raw action and palpable excitement as the race's decisive moments unfolded on the steep, cobbled ascent, which traditionally crowns the winner of this Monument. Startt's photographic endeavour provides an intimate, ground-level view of the drama that defines one of cycling's most revered one-day races.

This photographic immersion highlights the enduring allure of the Paterberg, a climb whose strategic placement near the finish has made it synonymous with the Ronde's climax since its introduction in 1986. For riders, it’s the final, brutal test; for fans, the ultimate viewing spectacle. Startt’s choice to document this specific point underscores its critical role in the narrative of the Tour of Flanders, where champions are forged and dreams often shattered in a matter of seconds, year after year.

Startt’s dedication to capturing the Paterberg's essence reminds us that while the riders make the race, it's often the hallowed ground beneath their wheels that truly tells the story.