How fast can you bike? Register for the Maastunnel time trial

 

The monumental Maastunnel (1942) is the oldest tunnel in the Netherlands and is currently being renovated. Because the Maastunnel is a monument, a lot of effort has been made to restore the tunnel to its original specs. Among other things, sand-colored asphalt has been poured - a reference to the vowel floor that originally adorned the tunnel floor when it was was first opened in 1942.

 

The works won't be completed until mid-2019. However, in July 2018, the western car tube will be ready. The Maastunnel time trail is being organised in order to mark this special occasion. Race and sports cyclists are welcome to clock their personal best in the brand new car tunnel.

As many as 1,200 participants will be allowed to compete for the fastest time. The course is 1.4 kilometres long. If you're coming to cheer your friends, a festive area will be set up near the Euromast. There'll be music and a large video screen on which supporters will be able to follow the cyclists as they compete in this unique event. To make the race as fair as possible, prizes are awarded in the following categories:

Girls / ladies 🚴‍♀️ (heat times)
10 - 17 years (09:00 to 10:00)
18 - 40 years (10:15 11:15)
41 - 60 years (11:30 12:30)
61 years and older (12:45 13:45)

Boys / men 🚴‍♂️ (heat times)
10 - 17 years (09:00 10:00)
18 - 40 years (10:15 11:15)
41 - 60 years (11:30 12:30)
61 years and older (12:45 13:15)

 

Registration for the tunnel time trial starts Friday June 22nd via www.maastunnel.nl. Participation costs € 5, -.

Registered participants will be loaned a chip that records the individual time, one consumption (drink) and a power bar. You can register up to a week before the event, as long as there are places available.

 

Walk through the maastunnel on foot

Non-cyclist will also be given the opportunity to traverse the new tunnel. After the time trial, between 16:00 and 18:00, the renovated car tunnel can be accessed on foot. No registration necessary.

 

Location: Maastunnel

Since the summer of 2017, the municipality of Rotterdam has been carrying out a large-scale renovation and restoration of the Maastunnel. In total this renovation will take two years. However, to keep the city as accessible as possible, one tunnel tube is always to remain open for traffic to Rotterdam Noord. Currently, that's the east tube. After the tunnel time trial, a 'tube switch' will take place. From then on, traffic will flow through the renovated west tube, while work will continue on the east tube. The direction of travel remains the same, so that Erasmus MC can always be reached quickly.

 

Once the car tunnel is completed in 2019, renovations will start on the bicycle and pedestrian tunnels.