Saturday, July 6, 2019

Wine and Food of LeTour 2019: Stage 1: Bruxelles > Brussel

Where are we? In Belgium! More precisely: Brussels. Michelin tells me that:
Brussels. A name that often crops up in the media in conjunction with the European laws that it generates. But the Belgian capital is, of course, much more than its European district, which is but one of its many faces. A modest-sized city, one of the loveliest squares in the world (Grand-Place), a giant atom (Atomium), ruins, Art Nouveau gems, Haussmann streets, empty spaces, modern buildings... Brussels is certainly a city of contrasts, but it remains an inviting and friendly one.

Perhaps because I was so charmed by the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, I'm very curious about a museum that sounds similar.

LeTour Specialties from along the road:  
PROVINCE OF WEST FLANDERS: mussels, speculoos, shrimps, nœuds de Bruges (Brugse achtjes), Bruges lace , babeluttes. 
HAINAUT PROVINCE: rabbit with prunes and beer, Escaveche of Virelles, doubles of Binche, cheese oatcake, pork paunch, peket (spirit)


 The stage: Here we go. Despite my feelings about the lack of Mark Cavendish in the race, it is time for another Tour. This one is set up to be a sprint, making the Cavendish absence even worse. Team decision. Bah!




Onward though. Our early break:


Eventually GVA would drop back, leaving three ahead on the road with about a two minute gap at kilometer 109. 
As they neared the intermediate sprint points, the peloton was strung out as Bora pushed hard to catch the break. Sagan clearly wanted the sprint points to help with his green jersey quest. Off the back, Viviani with a mechanical. He was not the only one. At the sprint point, Sagan took the maximum points. 
Breaking away from the bunch, Stephane Rossetto. he was likely doomed, but nice to see the effort.



 Indeed, as they got closer, his lead began to drop.


Crash! Fuglsang down and bloodied, but back on his bike. Yikes. He was expected to be a contender for the yellow jersey, but sure didn't look good. Despite visibly struggling, he would make it back to the peloton.
Ten kilometers to go and the sprint trains were forming. The favorite on the day was Dylan Groenewegen, but opening sprint stages at the Tour have often been chaotic.

Inside three kilometers to go and it was time for the gc riders to make way for the sprint trains.
Sure enough, another nervous crash. Among those down, Groenewegen.
Weird sprint, with a photo finish. Wow: Mike Teunissen! 

 Stage: 
The wine: Belgium, so the wine is beer. Visit Brussels does suggest a brewery tour after all. Why not start with their first choice? "
The Cantillon brewery is a family business that brews lambic, gueuze, faro and kriek beers and where their artisanal process has not changed since the brewery was established in 1900. Lambic beers are spontaneous fermentation beers, the oldest and most primitive way to turn sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Lambics were traditionally made in Brussels and in the Pajottenland, in the province of Flemish Brabant, just west of Brussels, and these are the last places where old gueuze, old kriek or faro are still brewed. The traditional brewing process is the only of its kind in the world. Cantillon Brewery and Museum unravel the mysteries behind the lambic brewing process."

The food: So many possible recipes, but I've opted for chocolate. To be precise, the Neuhaus Taste of Belgium.  Because, really, how could I resist this copy: Taste of Belgium is a unique tasting experience that will guide you through Belgian history and our chocolate-making expertise. Each praline has a particular link with Belgium. They will invite some to learn more about their roots, and lead others on a delicious journey through this captivating country.
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