Reason 31: The people of Belgium have spoken

In a recent poll run by Het Nieuwsblad, 82% out of 3060 respondents feel that the finish in Oudenaarde is the wrong move.

Reason 25: The list of towns 

between the Muur and the finish Ninove-Meerbeke

So here is the logic. Not all of these are on the old course but they are close in proximity to the old finishing route. Therefore they probably had some economic impact given to them from the old race and the amateur event. Now that income or spending money is gone.

Geraardsbergen

Atembeke

Onkerzele

Moerbeke

Sint-Paulus

Galmaarden

Keringen

Waarbeke

Bovenkassei

Nieuwenhove

Roost

Denderwindeke

Hemelrijk

Eichem

Ninove-Meerbeke

Reason 18: Heinrich Haussler gets it

"Why did they have to change it? The prestige of the race has changed. It’s just really hard. I don’t like it. Why do they have to change a race like Flanders? It’s like not having Roubaix finish in the velodrome — it’s just stupid."

 

Source: http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/03/news/qa-heinrich-haussler-the-legs-are-back_209363

Reason 11: Tom Boonen gets it

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/5314134/Tom-Boonen-barred-from-Tour-de-France-after-second-positive-drug-test.html

"Not finishing in Meerbeke would be like removing the track from Paris-Roubaix"

Read more: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/7773/Tom-Boonen-Not-finishing-in-Meerbeke-would-be-like-removing-the-track-from-Paris-Roubaix.aspx#ixzz1oXyu3ioV

Reason 4: Edwig Van Hooydonck (Eddy Bosberg)

No Bosberg, makes Edwig's nickname not so cool any more.

Note the finishing straight.

Photo: © Sirotti

Reason 3: The finish line

The finishing staight in Meerbeke was PERFECT.

Long enough for sprints to be very contentious.

Straight enough for the lone escapee to take it all in.