Tom Boonen and Ruben Van Gucht are appearing together in the VTM GO series “Congé Payé,” a reality-style program that follows five cycling enthusiasts during the Tour de France. According to reports from HLN and De Zondag, the series captures the group’s dynamics and passion for the sport while they vacation in a villa.
Cycling Legends and Personalities Join ‘Congé Payé’
The VTM GO production brings together a group of five friends linked by their obsession with professional cycling. Among them are 45-year-old Tom Boonen and 39-year-old Ruben Van Gucht.
Boonen transitions from the competitive arena to a more relaxed setting in the series. The format allows viewers to see the “human” side of these sporting figures away from the official commentary booth or the podium.
The Dynamic Between Boonen and Van Gucht
In an exclusive interview with HLN, Boonen described a volatile but affectionate dynamic, noting that Van Gucht “completely exploded” at certain points during their time together. Despite these frictions, Boonen stated that he still enjoys being around him.
The series aims to strip away the polished exterior of sports broadcasting to show the raw interactions of friends who share a deep-seated passion for the road.
Villa Life and the Tour de France Experience
The setting of “Congé Payé” is a villa where the participants spend a week immersed in the Tour de France. According to HLN, the daily routine involves a mix of extreme relaxation and cycling obsession, with Van Gucht describing scenes of “breakfast in a dressing gown and playing pétanque in swimming trunks.”
The production style includes a level of surveillance that the participants have commented on. Mark Uytterhoeven, Ruben Van Gucht, and Dirk De Wolf discussed the presence of hidden cameras in the villa via humo.be, with Van Gucht jokingly claiming he sent the hidden equipment back to Eddy Snelders.
Broadcasting and Scheduling Conflicts
HLN reported on a “blitz visit” Van Gucht and Valentine Besard made to Tomorrowland, noting that Van Gucht had to leave promptly to return to VRT for a World Cup match.
Summary of the ‘Congé Payé’ Cast and Concept
| Participant | Role/Background | Context in Show |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Boonen | ||
| Ruben Van Gucht | ||
| Mark Uytterhoeven | ||
| Dirk De Wolf | Part of the core group of cycling enthusiasts |
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