Combell helps Flanders Classics set the cace in the cloud

When the classic cycling season kicks off with ‘den Omloop’, every cycling fan knows: it’s on again. With iconic races like the Tour of Flanders and Gent-Wevelgem, Flanders Classics has earned a solid place on the international cycling calendar. Backed by all-in IT support from partner Dynamate and robust cloud hosting from Combell, the organization is leading the digital pack as well.

From rebranding to digital acceleration

Driven by a fresh new brand identity - designed by Bureau Mirko Borsche - Flanders Classics aimed to make a difference online, too. Combell partner Dynamate translated this vision into a dynamic network of websites, focusing on user experience, innovation, and seamless design.

To support that technically, high-performance hosting was essential.

“We chose Combell as a trusted partner. They’re an established name with ISO certification, and that really helps to build trust with our clients,” says the Dynamate team.

One platform, multiple sites, full control

Flanders Classics now organizes races in various disciplines: road cycling, cyclocross, gravel, and even virtual e-sports. That diversity called for structure and clarity.

Dynamate developed a multisite platform with a central CMS, allowing content, visuals, and navigation to be managed from one place.

Each site in the network - from flandersclassics.be to rondevanvlaanderen.be - received a distinctive look and a tailored layout. With dynamic content blocks, editors can easily create or update pages.

“The brutalist design allows room for bold photography and accent colors, without compromising flexibility,” Dynamate notes.

“During major events like De Ronde or Gent-Wevelgem, we can quickly scale up or down thanks to Combell.”

Combell partner Dynamate is the IT partner of Flanders Classics.

These Flanders Classics websites are hosted by Combell:

• http://www.rondevanvlaanderen.be/
• http://www.omloophetnieuwsblad.be/
• http://www.gent-wevelgem.be/
• https://www.flandersclassics.be
• https://www.heathlandgravel.com
• https://www.superprestigecyclocross.be
• https://www.ucicyclocrossworldcup.com

A personalized experience, centrally managed

The new platform combines striking visuals with technical finesse:

Behind the scenes, Combell provides cloud hosting that offers the necessary scalability. This is crucial during periods of high traffic.

“During peak races like De Ronde or Gent-Wevelgem, Combell lets us scale resources up and down effortlessly. That kind of flexibility - both technical and commercial - is exactly what we need as a partner, and what our client Flanders Classics expects.”

“Cheap hosting might seem attractive, but when help is lacking in times of trouble, it ends up costing you much more.”

Combell partner Dynamate

Smart integrations and a scalable rollout

The multisite platform was rolled out in phases: smaller event sites came first, followed by larger platforms based on insights gained. Today, an integration with ActiveCampaign automatically links registered users to personalized email flows based on their interests.

Thanks to the flexibility of Combell’s hosting, this phased rollout happened without risk of overload. Combell supported the approach with ongoing monitoring and technical fine-tuning.

Powerful caching for peak traffic

Event websites experience their busiest days just before and during the event. Combell helped set up an advanced caching strategy with Varnish. This setup is necessary to guarantee a fast experience for tens of thousands of visitors at the same time.

“The Combell teams are really proactive. We have a direct line with their SRE support team for urgent technical questions. They monitor our servers in real time and offer optimizations themselves. That’s incredibly valuable to us,” says Dynamate.

“Combell offers optimizations proactively, that’s priceless to us.”

Combell partner Dynamate

Working together as partners, not just suppliers

What does Dynamate really appreciate about working with Combell? The human aspect. ‘You don't work with an anonymous ticket system, but with people. We can easily consult with the technical experts through various channels, from email and telephone to Slack. And there is 24/7 support. If something goes wrong, Combell takes responsibility. No passing the buck, just solutions.’

That experience motivated Dynamate to also become a Combell partner. ‘The control panel is intuitive, the prices are attractive, and it saves our team a lot of time. We don't have to manage our own servers. Talk about peace of mind!’

“With Combell, you know you’ll get fast and proper support.”

Combell partner Dynamate

Combell: A trusted cycling partner

Dynamate and Flanders Classics deliberately chose Combell. Not just as a hosting provider, but as a partner with vision. "We advise other companies not to just look at the price.

Cheap hosting may seem attractive, but if you don't get any help when problems arise, you end up paying much more. Look for a company that thinks along with you, from the sales talks to the technical optimisations. With Combell, you know that you will be helped quickly and correctly."

This great project shows how a strong digital strategy, supported by high-performance technology and reliable hosting, makes all the difference. With Dynamate as its digital construction team and Combell as its cloud partner, Flanders Classics is setting the pace not only on the road, but also online!

Want your cloud setup to lead the pack too?