Credit: Ali Sahib, Chronicle.lu
On Friday 17 April 2026, more than 60 cyclists kicked off the “2Wheels4Purpose” charity project at the Alter Domus headquarters in Luxembourg-Gasperich, an initiative aiming to raise awareness of breast cancer and collectively raise €1 million for Fondation Saint-Luc’s breast cancer research.
The launch took place in the presence of Andy Schleck, Tour de France winner and project ambassador, and Carin Lobbezoo, Dutch Ambassador to Luxembourg.
The event marked the start of a two-day prologue ride from Luxembourg to Brussels, covering several hundred kilometres, ahead of the main 7,000 km expedition, which is set to depart on Monday 28 April 2026 from Tallinn and conclude in Gibraltar approximately two and a half months later.
The main expedition will be led by the initiative’s three founders: René Beltjens, a member of the Supervisory Board at Alter Domus and former Head of Tax at PwC Luxembourg, Marc Bijlsma and Sander van der Fluit, a Dutch entrepreneur based in Luxembourg. All three have been personally affected by cancer and are undertaking the journey to raise awareness and support research.
Speaking to Chronicle.lu, René Beltjens, who lost his wife Vinciane to breast cancer at the age of 36, said the initiative brings together both a personal and collective purpose, stating: “We wanted to make it meaningful. As we have all had experiences with breast cancer, it was immediate for us to say we want to raise awareness and support research.” He added that the project also carries a strong personal dimension for his family: “For my children, it is also something in memory of their mother. It makes this journey very special.”
He also highlighted the challenge of preparing for the expedition, noting: “I cycled a lot in my 20s, but then stopped for many years. When we decided to do this, I started training again last summer to be ready.”
During the opening ceremony, Carin Lobbezoo wished the participants success in their journey, highlighting both the scale and purpose of the initiative: “You are going to suffer on this big trip of 7,000 kilometres, but you are raising money for a fantastic cause.” She encouraged the riders to engage with supporters along the route and emphasised the importance of raising as much funding as possible for the charity.
Andy Schleck also addressed the participants, speaking about the personal impact of the cause: “I lost my mother two years ago due to cancer. It’s always far away until it’s close to you.” He urged the cyclists to approach the challenge step by step and to focus on solidarity and awareness: “The most important is that you show solidarity… talk together, enjoy it and keep smiling when you arrive.”
According to the organisers, more than €310,000 has already been raised towards the €1 million target.
Fondation Saint-Luc, which will benefit from the initiative, is one of Belgium’s leading medical foundations, mobilising more than €15 million annually, funding dozens of research projects and supporting over one million patient interactions every two years.
