From Oman to France, many bike races are about promoting the area to tourists and business alike.
Belgian races give images of muddy farm tracks, ugly brick buildings and foul weather. It’s hardly an advert for the county.
For what it’s worth, Belgium is a wealthy country, not without its political problems but on average people are prosperous and healthy. Belgians are also the most cycling crazy people in the world. Not every Belgian loves cycling, just as every American doesn’t follow baseball, but this is a country where Oude Kwaremont, Kapelmuur, Redoute and Huy are synonymous with sporting legend.