In just three weeks, the Wattage Festival is set to electrify cycling enthusiasts and fans alike. Sporza journalist and media personality Ruben Van Gucht, the driving force behind the event, is confident that this festival is here to stay.
Ruben Van Gucht: “This Must Become a Staple”
Reflecting on the inaugural edition, Van Gucht emphasized the festival’s lasting impact:
“Last year, we immediately demonstrated that the Wattage Festival was no passing fad. We’re building something substantial, and everyone has seen that. The fact that figures like Bradley Wiggins and Tom Boonen committed to the second edition speaks volumes. Similarly, the involvement of Erik Van Looy with ‘De Slimste Mens’ is noteworthy.”
The festival’s ambition is clear: to become a mainstay, much like Velofollies in January. Van Gucht attributes this vision to the strong network within the cycling community, enabling the attraction of prominent names and captivating both dedicated cycling fans and the general public. The Sunday festival program features Q&A sessions, keynotes, large-scale formats, and shows, balancing depth with entertainment. Coupled with the ‘active’ Saturday, it forms a robust format.
Drawing parallels to the popular science festival Nerdland, which grew from a niche event to attracting 20,000 attendees, Van Gucht envisions a similar trajectory for the Wattage Festival. With 4,000 visitors last year, they were pleased but aim to advance with the second edition, targeting 6,000 to 7,000 attendees.
Grinta! X Wattage Festival
Grinta! is a proud media partner of the Wattage Festival and will be present in Ostend for three days. On Saturday morning, they will participate in the Wattage Rides. From Saturday afternoon and throughout Sunday, the Grinta! stand will be located in the expo zone. Additionally, on Sunday, their food podcast ‘Gesneden Brood’ will be featured. Tune in live between 14:00 and 14:45 on the Wattage Podcast stage.
For the complete program and to purchase tickets, visit www.wattagefestival.be.
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