‘High trees catch a lot of wind’ – From intense media scrutiny to social media abuse, the Classics bring out the pressure of expectation in Belgium

A middle finger to the winner. A beer thrown at a rider. A hateful comment on social media. The Belgian Classics attract some of the most impassioned fans in the world, but sometimes, that fervour bubbles over into something more hostile.

Belgium is probably the only nation in Europe where cycling is the second most important sport behind football. Even in France, home of the Tour, cycling isn’t in the blood of every town like it is in Flanders.