The Dwars door Vlaanderen organizers have been forced to prepare an alternate route of the event held on Wednesday March 26th this year due to US President Barack Obama’s visit to Waregem on the same day.

Dwars door Vlaanderen, an even traditionally opening the Flemish cycling week and won by Oscar Gatto (Cannondale) last year, was intended to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the First world War and pay respect to the American victims of that conflict by the route bringing riders along the Flanders Field American Cemetery.

Situated on the opposite side of the E17 motorway heading to Waregem, was expected to be passed by the peloton after a 70km mark around the 13:30 local time, however, it turned out that paying a visit to the only American World War One cemetery was included as a part of President Obama’s visit to the country. As it remains uncertain whether the whole Obama’s schedule would be carried out, race organizers have been forced to plan an alternate route and anticipate the timing of US President.

"The cemetery is now right on the track of our competition," race director Guy Delesie told Het Nieuwsblad.

"We wanted to include this area in order to give to the American victims of the First World War a tribute, but that now threatens to break down on us."

Aside from riding past the cemetery, the route contained two loops around the area, including the 11 climbs before reaching the finish in Waregem. Even with Obama’s visit to the cemetery not being eventually confirmed, getting ready to conduct the race on one of two alternate courses would be a logistically difficult task for organizers while handling the huge traffic caused by events.

"We have already mapped out an alternative course. If the US president is effective, we can draw a circle around the graveyard and around the race caravan," says Delesie.

"It will probably be no easy task to accomplish. In Waregem and the finish area, the many team buses, vehicles of the teams, press cars and VIP cars will anyway be hampered by the ring around Waregem. I guess I will have to attend many meetings. We will definitely have to anticipate the timing of Barack Obama."

The final announcement on the Dwars door Vlaanderen will be made this week.