The course was spectator friendly, with ample zones barricaded next to the course for spectators to safely walk and view the course. Entry into the race course costs eight Euros per adults and free for under 14 years of age. There were at least half a dozen places to pay and enter the course, with a person in a wooden kiosk selling tickets. These gates would have two entrances – one for spectators and one for support staff, both manned by credentialed organization staff. All told, that would be at least three people at each entrance.

I was told there were ten thousand spectators for the Elite race. Assuming three quarters of these were paying adults --- that would be sixty-thousand Euros (about $72,000) in receipts. For the first race, the number of spectators and people in the pits looked like an Elite race in the US. Then as the day progressed more and more people arrived. By the U23 race just before the Elite race, the course became filled on both sides all the way around.

All of the course marshals were outfitted in yellow hi-viz jackets and armed with whistles. There were multiple course crossings at strategic points where spectators would want to cross. Each crossing was marked with an overhead sign saying "Doorgang". Each side of the crossing was manned by a course marshall each holding a long strap of "Karcher" plastic taping, which was attached to the "Doorgang" post. The marshals would use this plastic tape to surround a group of exiting spectators to herd them into the cross gate when riders would approach. Then they would hold the tape across the opening to prevent anyone from sneaking across.

At a couple of areas, there was not enough room for spectators to follow the course and they would have to enter the course to get to the next section of spectator walkway. In these areas, the organization stationed course marshals to help spectators on to the course and off again. One strategic gate in a brick wall was manned by a police officer assisted by a course marshall. The police were also present at the key turn after the finish line to help manage crowd control.

Think carnevale and the white trailers that serve food. There were at least four areas around the course that had a pair of hamburger/hotdog and frites stands. Then there was the Beer tent on the top of the course, along with a small café. In the middle part of the course, there were several bars open where you could drink and watch the race. And there was another café in the building that housed the changing rooms and dope control where one could eat and watch the race.

The fans….wow! We mentioned the Fidea cycling team merchandise mobile home set before. Imagine seeing a sea of spectators and over there is a flock of fans that have matching jackets saying "Supporter Club – Mark McCormick" and then another group with different matching jackets saying "Supporter Club – Tim Johnson". Well in Belgium, it’s the Bart Wellens club or Sven Nys club or Sven Vanthourenhout club, etc. I suppose it isn’t any different than seeing people wearing Yankees jackets going to Yankees stadium, but it does say how important cyclocross is in Belgium.