Side Events

Welcome on the side events page!

There is plenty to do around the Eneco Tour. Even before the Tour begins, various cities are already organizing fun activities. From sporting events to social gatherings: discover all there is to do in the lead-up to and during the Eneco Tour.

Check out the latest news below or click the button to see the complete overview of all side events.

Along the course

Together, we power the Eneco Tour

The Eneco Tour is all about energy – the riders’ energy, the crowd’s energy, and, of course, yours.

Because energy? It really comes alive when we get moving together.

So get off that couch, hop on your bike. Cheer your heart out or discover how to use energy more wisely.

In the fan zone, along the course, and on our social media. Some give it their all on the bike, others cheer from the sidelines.

Together, we power the Eneco Tour.

ENECO CHEER ZONE

Let it all out in the Cheering Zone

Cheering together in the best spot along the course

A bike race only really comes alive when the energy poured into it is just as intense. That’s why there’s the Cheering Zone: right next to the course and ready for anyone who’d rather not keep their energy to themselves. Cheer loudly together so the riders pedal even harder. You’ll be right up close to the race, right in the thick of the action. The samba band sets the rhythm; we’ll take care of the vocal cords. And if it’s pouring rain? Then you’ll be under the canopy. Go wild, but stay out of the rain.

The Move

Powering up together for the Eneco Tour

The Move is already getting things moving

The riders haven’t started yet, but the energy certainly has. The Energy Parade is already getting things moving: a fully electric vehicle drives along the course, with a samba band and an MC on board. Wherever the energy needs a little boost, they rally the crowd. A little dance, a clap, a cheer—before you know it, we’re all moving to the beat together. During the stage, the band and MC will reappear in the cheering section. That’s how we’ll fuel the EnecoTour together.

PARK & CHARGE

Cycling to the Eneco Tour

A place for your bike – charge it up and hit the road

Cycling to the Eneco Tour? Park & Charge has you covered: your bike in the rack, you right in the thick of the race. Together with Fietssport, we’ll provide a spot for your bike, with a separate section for road bikes. Your e-bike can recharge here, too. Charge your battery at the charging wall while you cheer on the riders. The charging wall is connected to solar panels and a battery. After the race, hop back on your bike, with the energy of the Tour in your legs.

Reserve a spot for your bike now.

CYcling festival

Experience the Eneco Tour up close at the Cycling Festival!

This is the place where cycling fans, visitors, and local residents come together to enjoy the race and everything that goes with it.

Hop on a bike yourself, take part in challenging activities, and discover what our partners have in store for you.

With athletic challenges, entertainment, and delicious food and drinks, there’s plenty to do for all ages.

Come on by and let’s make it a fun day together!

House of Esports / Beat the Pro

Can you beat a pro’s time? Hop on the e-bike and take on the virtual challenge! Beat the Pro is all about speed and perseverance. Give it everything you’ve got and see how close you can get to a real pro cyclist’s time.

Pump Track & Big Air

Time to show off your biking skills! Tackle the bumps and turns of the pump track or seek out a challenge at the Big Air inflatable. Whether you’re starting out cautiously or are already a skilled rider: are you up for it?

In Watersley, The Pump Factory is organizing a competition on the existing pump track. Compete and show what you’ve got!

Veilig Verkeer Nederland

How do you stay safe and steady on your bike? Find out at the interactive activity hosted by Veilig Verkeer Nederland. Join in, learn more about preventing falls, and pick up some handy tips for your next bike ride.

Hard Koppie x Hersenstichting

Hopping on your bike? Don’t forget your helmet! After all, your head is a limited edition. Hard Koppie shows that a bike helmet isn’t just a smart choice, it can also perfectly match your style. Join the Hersenstichting to discover why a helmet can make all the difference, and join the movement!

Food Trucks & Bars

All that cheering and participating is sure to work up an appetite! Grab a tasty treat from the food trucks and enjoy the lively festival atmosphere. Whether you stop by before the start, take a break in between, or stick around after the finish: there’s plenty of reason to stay a little longer. In the mood for a refreshing drink? Grab a beverage at the bars on the festival grounds. Find a cozy spot, catch up with friends, and enjoy a wonderful day of cycling together.

ONVI
How fast are your reflexes? Challenge yourself and your friends with ONVI’s reaction game! Test your reflexes by the RV or tent and find out who’s the sharpest.

Smart

Curious about the future of mobility? Visit the Smart booth to learn more about the brand and discover how mobility and sustainability come together during the Eneco Tour.

PostNL

Time for a coffee break! At the PostNL coffee cart, you can catch your breath and catch up with friends. You’ll recognize the spot by the eye-catching PostNL inflatable.

The Hague Exhibition

Dive into the stories behind the bike and the race! The exhibition at the Bike Festival takes you on a journey through cycling, The Hague, and the race. A fun stop in between cheering on the riders.

BOB Campaign

You enjoy a fun day together, and getting home safely, too! At the BOB campaign, you’ll discover in an interactive way why having a sober driver is so important. Who’s your BOB?

More to experience!

The Hague

13 October: Celebrity Prologue in The Hague!

📍 Sportcampus Zuiderpark, The Hague
🕓 Start: 4:30 PM | Award ceremony: approximately 4:50 PM

A star-studded line-up, an official cycling course and a message that matters!

On the opening day of the Eneco Tour, well-known Dutch personalities swap their usual stage for the bike. Among others, Edwin and Annemarie van der Sar, Viggo Waas, Richard Krajicek, Lucinda Brand and Mark Heij will take on the race against the clock, guided by team captains Ellen van Dijk and Michael Boogerd. They will ride the 3.1-kilometre course in The Hague’s Zuiderpark, which will later that day welcome the professional cyclists.

The Celebrity Prologue supports the Hersenstichting’s Hard Koppie campaign, which raises awareness of the importance of wearing a cycling helmet and preventing brain injuries.

Join us at Zuiderpark on Tuesday, 13 October, and cheer on the celebrities as they take on this exciting race against the clock!

Ede

October 14

During the stage in Ede on October 14, there’s plenty to do besides the race. Thanks to a grant from the Gelders Sportfonds, there will be various sports and cultural side events for all ages. Check out what’s happening below and join in!

10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | Mobile pump track and Big Airbag

Come seek out the action at the Pumpfactory’s mobile pump track! Race over the bumps and through the sharp turns and show off your cycling skills. For the real daredevils, there’s also a giant Big Airbag waiting. Jump off the ramp and make a soft landing on this massive air cushion. A spectacular activity for all ages!

2:00–4:00 p.m. | Cultural Activities

In addition to all the cycling excitement, there’s plenty of room for creativity and entertainment at the festival grounds. Be amazed by street performers, join in a creative activity, and take home a personalized souvenir.

Paint your own picture by bike: hop on a colorful paint bike, choose your favorite colors, and create your own work of art. Still have some leg strength left? Dry your painting on the special drying bike and take your masterpiece home with you.
Magic and circus: Australian circus artist Yoav Shemesh will surprise you with a mix of magic tricks, juggling, acrobatics, and humor. He’ll be walking around the grounds so you can experience his tricks up close.
Caricatures on beer coasters: Have caricaturist Cees Bastings (Draw Case) capture your likeness. He draws recognizable mini-caricatures on beer coasters at lightning speed—a cheerful and personal memento of your visit.

Location for both side events: Bike Festival grounds on Arnhemseweg, near Vossenakker.

October 14 – Rabo Fat Tire Race

Have you always wanted to race like a real pro cyclist? Then join the Rabo Fat Tire Race in Ede on October 14! During this fun bike race for kids, you’ll have the unique chance to ride laps on the course where the pros will also be racing during the first stage of the Eneco Tour.

Rabo Fat Tire Races are free bike races where children (ages 2–12) compete on their own bikes. You can participate on a regular (city) bike, mountain bike, or hybrid bike with a tire width of at least 28 millimeters. Road bikes, fat bikes, and bikes with clipless pedals are not permitted. Participants are divided into different age groups, ranging from 2–4 years old (Rabo Balance Bike Race) to 11–12 years old. Every participant receives a unique Rabo Dikke Banden Race T-shirt and a medal after the race. If you don’t have your own helmet, you can also borrow one from the organizers.

Schedule

Start time for the Rabo Balance Bike Race (ages 2–4): 2:25 p.m.
Start time for the Rabo Fat Tire Race (ages 2–4): 2:25 p.m.
Start time for the Rabo Fat Tire Race (ages 5 & 6): 2:40 p.m.
Start time for the Rabo Fat Tire Race (ages 7 & 8): 3:20 p.m.
Start time for the Rabo Fat Tire Race (ages 9 & 10): 3:30 p.m.
Start time for the Rabo Fat Tire Race (ages 11–12): 3:30 p.m.

Location

This Rabo Dikke Banden Race will take place on the course of the first stage of the Eneco Tour. Address: Arnhemseweg 22–54, 6711 GR Ede.

Registration

Registration is only available through the Ready2Race website, the organizer of this Rabo Fat Tire Race. Spots are limited, so be sure to register early.

Sittard-Watersley

Between the men’s and women’s races, there is plenty to do at the Tom Dumoulin Bike Park in Sittard. Check out the schedule for the side events below.

Friday, October 16

10:00 am – 11:00 am: National Handbike Competition (NHC) Final

11:10 am – 12:10 pm: Dutch Championship for Journalists

11:15 am: Awards Ceremony for the National Handbike Competition (NHC) Final

12:15 pm: Awards Ceremony for the Para-cycling Series Final & Dutch Championship for Journalists

Hoogeveen - Vamberg

Rabo Dikke Banden Race Hoogeveen – October 17

Have you always wanted to race like a real pro cyclist? Then join the Rabo Dikke Banden Race in Hoogeveen on October 17! During this fun bike race for kids, you’ll have the unique chance to ride laps right next to the course where the pros will be in action later that day during the fourth stage of the Eneco Tour.

Rabo Dikke Banden Races are free bike races where children (ages 2–12) compete on their own bikes. Participants can ride a regular (city) bike, mountain bike, or hybrid bike with tires at least 28 millimeters wide. Road bikes, fat bikes, and bikes with clipless pedals are not permitted. Participants are divided into different age groups, ranging from 2–4 years old (Rabo Balance Bike Race) to 11–12 years old. Every participant receives a unique Rabo Dikke Banden Race T-shirt and a medal after the race. If you don’t have your own, you can also borrow a helmet from the organizers.

Schedule

Start time for the Rabo Balance Bike Race (ages 2–4): 10:20 a.m.
Start time for the Rabo Fat Tire Race (ages 2–4): 10:30 a.m.
Start time for the Rabo Fat Tire Race (ages 5 & 6): 10:40 a.m.
Start time for the Rabo Fat Tire Race (ages 7 & 8): 10:50 a.m.
Start time for the Rabo Fat Tire Race (ages 9 & 10): 11:00 a.m.
Start time for the Rabo Fat Tire Race (ages 11 & 12): 11:10 a.m.

Location

This Rabo Fat Tire Race takes place near the route of the fourth stage of the Eneco Tour. Address: Hoofdstraat 17, 7902 EA Hoogeveen.

Registration

Registration is only possible via the Ready2Race website, the organizer of this Rabo Fat Tire Race. Spots are limited, so be sure to register early.

Arnhem

October 18

During the stage in Arnhem on October 18, there’s plenty to do besides the race. Thanks to a grant from the Gelders Sportfonds, there will be various sports and cultural side events for all ages. Check out what’s happening below and join in!

11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | Mobile pump track and Big Airbag
Race over the bumps and through the sharp turns of Pumpfactory’s mobile pump track, or jump off the ramp and land softly on the giant Big Airbag.

1:00–3:45 p.m. | Cultural activities
Enjoy creative activities and surprising entertainment:

Mega soap bubbles: be enchanted by giant, shimmering soap bubbles and create your own beautiful giant bubble.
Magic and circus: be amazed by magic tricks, juggling, and acrobatics from Australian circus artist Yoav Shemesh.
Caricatures on beer coasters: Have professional caricaturist Cees Bastings from Draw Case draw a personalized mini-caricature of you.
CreaBea booth: Get creative with Monique and make your own bracelet or colorful artwork, for example.

Location: Bike Festival grounds around the Water Museum and Molenplaats.

Rabo Dikke Banden Race Arnhem – October 18

Have you always wanted to race like a real pro cyclist? Then join the Rabo Dikke Banden Race in Arnhem on October 18! During this fun bike race for kids, you’ll have the unique chance to ride laps on the course where the pros will be in action later that day during the fifth stage of the Eneco Tour.

Rabo Dikke Banden Races are free bike races where children (ages 2–12) compete on their own bikes. You can participate on a regular (city) bike, mountain bike, or hybrid bike with a tire width of at least 28 millimeters. Road bikes, fat bikes, and bikes with clipless pedals are not permitted. Participants are divided into different age groups, ranging from 2–4 years old (Rabo Balance Bike Race) to 11–12 years old.

Every participant will receive a unique Rabo Dikke Banden Race T-shirt and a medal after the race. If you don’t have your own, you can also borrow a helmet from the organizers.

Schedule

Start time for the Rabo Balance Bike Race (ages 2–4): 9:30 a.m.
Start time for the Rabo Fat Tire Race (ages 2–4): 9:40 a.m.
Start time for the Rabo Fat Tire Race (ages 5 & 6): 9:50 a.m.
Start time for the Rabo Fat Tire Race (ages 7–8): 10:00 a.m.
Start time for the Rabo Fat Tire Race (ages 9–10): 10:10 a.m.
Start time for the Rabo Fat Tire Race (ages 11–12): 10:20 a.m.

Location

This Rabo Fat Tire Race will take place at Park Sonsbeek in Arnhem. Address: Burgemeesterplein 13, 6814DM Arnhem.

Registration
Registration is only available through the Ready2Race website, the organizer of this Rabo Fat Tire Race. Spots are limited, so be sure to register early.