Organization

About
Danilith Nokere Koerse

What once began as a modest fairground race has today become a staple on the international cycling calendar.

From a local meeting to a semi-classic with UCI 1.Pro status: Danilith Nokere Koerse is now a race you don’t want to miss. For a week, Nokere is all about cycling. Friday starts with the festive Départ Canard, Saturday the juniors race, Sunday it’s the Cyclo’s turn, and on Wednesday comes the highlight: the men’s and women’s elite race (UCI ProSeries).

What outsiders see as a smoothly running peloton is behind the scenes the result of strategy, teamwork, and tons of enthusiasm. Management, volunteers, and partners ensure everything is perfect from start to finish. From the course to safety, from riders to the audience: nothing is left to chance.

And you can feel it: Danilith Nokere Koerse combines the professionalism of a top race with the warmth of a true Flemish race day.

Meet
the
management


Behind every tough race is a strong team. The board of Danilith Nokere Koerse is the engine that keeps everything running. No big words, just plenty of action. With a love for cycling, expertise, and a strong pace, they set the course every year, not just the route, but the entire organization.

Together with a peloton of dedicated volunteers and partners, they make sure every detail is perfect. What once started as a local passion has grown into a professionally organized race that still carries the warm, familiar atmosphere of its early days.

Robrecht Bothuyne

Voorzitter
Persverantwoordelijke

Kurt Vanmarcke

Ondervoorzitter

Rony De Sloovere

Gedelegeerd bestuurder Koersdirecteur ME / MJ

Gil Steyvers

Koersdirecteur WE
Secretaris

Nathalie Blauwblomme

Juridisch adviseur

Lowie Cnockaert

VIP-verantwoordelijke

Floris Heistercamp

Bestuurslid

Kris Nachtergaele

Bestuurslid

Lode Roman

Bestuurslid

Frank Desmedt

Bestuurslid

Dirk Willemyns

Bestuurslid

Carlo Delmulle

Bestuurslid

Quentin Dhuyvetter

Digitale strategie

Janus Frimout

Verantwoordelijke Cyclo

Jonas Vandeputte

Verantwoordelijke DNK for Kids

Kristof Goeminne

Verantwoordelijke boarding

Kris Vaernewyck

Verantwoordelijke seingevers

Guido Eeckhoudt

Verantwoordelijke
Départ-Canard

Frederic T’ Kindt

Verantwoordelijke publiciteit Verantwoordelijke interne veiligheid

Etienne Marlier

Bestuurslid

Robbe Martens

Bestuurslid

Mathias Bocksoen

Bestuurslid

Geert Delmulle

Bestuurslid
Ex-ondervoorzitter

The History of Nokere Koerse

What began during the war years as a modest fairground race in the shadow of Nokere’s church tower has grown into a staple on the international cycling calendar. Since 2009, Danilith Nokere Koerse has held a 1.1 status, and over time the race has evolved into a semi-classic with international prestige.

War years and the beginning

During the Second World War, major races like the Tour de France were put on hold. Local organizers saw an opportunity and started fairground races. In Nokere, this led in 1944 to the creation of the Grote Prijs Jules Lowie, named after the local cycling hero. Lowie already had an impressive palmarès: seventh in the Tour of Flanders, fifth in the Tour de France, third in the mountains classification, and winner of Paris–Nice. In 1943, he seemed set to win Paris–Roubaix, until a flat tire on the final stretch cost him the victory. Around his fan club, ’t Levende Sport was founded in 1938, and from 1944 onwards, it aimed to organize a professional race every year.

First editions

On April 26, 1944, just before the liberation, 82 riders lined up for the first edition. World champion Marcel Kint won the opening race, despite the absence of a starting bonus. A year later, Briek Schotte claimed victory, and in 1946, Jules Lowie rode his final race here, forced to retire after a serious crash. For the ten-year anniversary in 1953, notable figures like Karel Van Wijnendaele came to Nokere. In 1959, the race could not take place due to roadworks, and a year later, Jules Lowie passed away at the age of just 46. Following internal disagreements within ’t Levende Sport, Nokere Sport took over the organization from 1963 onwards.

Rise of big names

“The 1960s and ’70s brought increasingly bigger names to Nokere. In 1966, Jaak De Boever won after an impressive solo, and three years later, Rik Van Looy was disqualified just before a certain victory. In 1971, Merckx himself was absent, but his team Molteni still sent Herman Van Springel to victory. A year later, Tony Houbrechts defeated none other than Roger De Vlaeminck. In the following decades, Tour winners such as Lucien Van Impe, Bernard Thévenet, Bernard Hinault, and Greg LeMond appeared, alongside top riders like Freddy Maertens, Gerrie Knetemann, Etienne De Wilde, and Jo Planckaert. Surprising names like Joaquim Agostinho, Erik Breukink, and Johan Bruyneel also showed up on the start lists. Even Frank Vandenbroucke raced here in 2006 and 2009.

Professionalization and status

In the 1990s, the race gained international status and the course was thoroughly renewed. From 2000 onwards, the start moved to the Market Square in Oudenaarde, bringing a completely new dynamic. In 1999, Nokere Koerse was awarded a 1.4 UCI status, followed by a promotion to 1.3 in 2002, and then to 1.1 three years later. By now, the race’s palmarès had grown into an impressive roll of honour, featuring names every cycling fan knows.

Present and future

In recent years, Nokere Koerse has undergone thorough professionalization. The race was renamed Danilith Nokere Koerse, thanks to title sponsor Danilith. Since 2019, it has grown into a four-day cycling event featuring:

  • On Friday Départ Canard
  • On Saturday DNK for Kids, Special Olympics, and Men Juniors
  • On Sunday our Cyclo
  • And finally the Elite men’s race (UCI ProSeries) and the Elite women’s race (UCI 1.Pro) on Wednesday.

A race for everyone

For decades, Danilith Nokere Koerse has been a race by and for the people. Where factory workers once got a day off and farmers traded their fields for the cobblestones of Nokere, it is now a day where young and old, casual supporters, and seasoned flandriens come together to experience the race.

Entrance? Completely free. Both the finish area and the lively fan village are open to everyone. No ticket required—just bring your love for racing, atmosphere, and good vibes!
The fan village is buzzing with activity: live music, entertainment for young and old, cold beers, and the unmistakable smell of fries and sausages. Along ‘the Poggio of Nokere,’ a merciless cobbled climb that tears the peloton apart, fans line the route in thick rows.

With a beer in hand, they cheer their heroes loudly up the climb. The riders grind over the cobbles while the fans provide the atmosphere.
Racing is emotion, spectacle, and togetherness. And that is exactly what Danilith Nokere Koerse delivers year after year: top-level competition and community fun, a classic with a warm heart and cycling enjoyment for everyone.

Our partners

Thanks to the valuable support of our partners, Danilith Nokere Koerse continues to grow year after year into a staple on the cycling calendar. Together, we build a strong brand and create an unforgettable experience for riders and fans alike.