Spring Classics

Spring Classics

Are you a fan of the Classics? If so, this is your trip. No-one does the Classics like Thomson!

Real bike racing, rough roads, questionable weather, frites and great beer, welcome to the Classics! Not for the faint of heart, only a spot on the Quick-Step Team would get you a more intense Classics experience!

Overview

Details

Next Departure

March 29th 2024

From

USD $6,895

Duration

11 days / 10 nights

Non-Rider Friendly

Yes

Rental Bike

USD $600

Ride Program

Total Distance

Total Elevation

Daily Av. Distance

Daily Av. Elevation

Overview

Over the course of the trip, you’ll conquer the cobbles, catch premier pro race action, and immerse yourself in the rich history and culture that define the Classics.

You’ll start this epic trip by riding the Official Tour of Flanders Gran Fondo. The trip then continues the next day with live viewing of the Tour of Flanders on the Paterberg! Witness the sheer grit of the peloton as they battle to claim one of the oldest and most prestigious titles in the history of cycling. After watching the pros in action in the Tour of Flanders, you’ll spend the next four days riding the final 100 km (62 miles) of Gent-Wevelgem, then each of the Ardennes Classics: Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Amstel Gold and La Flèche Wallonne, before returning to Roubaix.

Learn how to ride the Roubaix cobbles with our expert ride leaders then the following day, ride the Official Paris-Roubaix Gran Fondo, a gruelling 170 km ride with 28 cobbled sections! Finally, you’ll cap off a thrilling cycling week with VIP race viewing of the “Hell of the North,” Paris-Roubaix. Our relationship with ASO will get you VIP Access to the Race Start, a mid-race cobble section and then VIP access to the Race Finish in the famous Velodrome.

Have a non-riding partner who’d like to join you? No problem, bring them along – we have a full itinerary specifically designed for non-riders. Race viewings, town visits, cultural tours – all managed by Jacinta, our Spectator Trip Manager!


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Spring Classics
I have done trips with several other tour companies. And this was my third with Thomson. You guys are just head and shoulders above the ...

David Gould, USA — 2017

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Spring Classics
This was the trip of a lifetime. Wow. The whole team were well-organized and from my end it all appeared to run seamlessly. I will ...

Jeff Sangster, Canada — 2018

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Spring Classics
This is a trip like no other. I can't imagine packing anymore into a single week than what Thomson has been able to pull off. ...

Ed Webb, USA — 2017

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Cycling helmet, sunglasses and shoes illustration

Itinerary

Day Description Distance Elevation Hotel
01 Bienvenue en France! Hotel Mercure Lille Marcq Baroeul
02 RIDE Tour of Flanders Gran Fondo Hotel Mercure Lille Marcq Baroeul
03 LIVE Viewing: Tour of Flanders Hotel Mercure Lille Marcq Baroeul
04 Gent-Wevelgem: Ride the last 100km Van der Valk Hotel Verviers
05 Amstel Gold Race: RIDE the last 100km Van der Valk Hotel Verviers
06 Fleche Wallone: RIDE the last 100km Van der Valk Hotel Verviers
07 Liege-Bastogne-Liege: RIDE the last 100km Van der Valk Hotel Verviers
08 From the Ardennes... to Hell Hotel Mercure Lille Marcq Baroeul
09 RIDE Paris-Roubaix Gran Fondo Hotel Mercure Lille Marcq Baroeul
10 LIVE Viewing: Paris-Roubaix! Hotel Mercure Lille Marcq Baroeul
11 Au Revoir!
Daily Averages
Itinerary View Itinerary View
Map View Map View
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02
03
04
05
06
07
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11

Itinerary Detail

Day 1

Distance

Elevation


Bienvenue en France!

Your trip starts at Lille Europe Train Station where our staff will meet you before the short transfer to your hotel in Lille.

After lunch, orientation meeting and bike build-up, you’ll head out onto the narrow lanes for your first taste of riding in Northern France.

Day 2

Distance

Elevation


RIDE Tour of Flanders Gran Fondo

The first of our 2 Gran Fondos sees you on the Start Line in Oudenaarde for one of the top gran fondos in the world. Thousands of cyclists line up to ride the same routes that the pros will ride tomorrow, over the bergs that make the Tour of Flanders so unique and special.

 

The Gran Fondo route covers the same famous cobbled bergs as tomorrow’s pro race: Paterberg, Oude Kwaremont, Koppenberg and Muur van Geraardsbergen – you’ll ride them all! The atmosphere at the fondo is fantastic – the Belgians love their cycling! We recommend the 174km route – but there are also 74km, 139km and 229km options.

Day 3

Distance

Elevation


LIVE Viewing: Tour of Flanders

Today is definitely one of those must-do, bucket list items for the passionate cyclist! Witness the pros fight it out on the Paterberg, one of the key climbs in the Tour of Flanders!

You rode it yesterday so you now know what it’s all about – and you can now watch the pros with a new sense of appreciation.

You’ll head over to the Paterberg, the best location to witness the pros fight it out. Feel the atmosphere grow as the race approaches, enjoy a Belgian beer with sausage & pommes-frites and get ready to witness the locals go crazy if a Belgian rider powers up the 20% climb near the front.

Day 4

Distance

Elevation


Gent-Wevelgem: Ride the last 100km

Gent-Wevelgem is one of the Flemish Classics and always takes place on the Sunday before the Tour of Flanders. The race is also known as “Gent-Wevelgem – In Flanders Fields” in memory of the many WW1 battlefields that the route crosses. The route also goes through the famous Menen Gate in Ypres, a memorial to the missing soldiers from WW1.

 

You’ll ride the last 100km including the main cobbled climbs – the Baneberg, Monteberg and Kemmelberg. The Kemmelberg is the most well-known and most challenging climb with sections of up to 23%. The run-in to the finish in Wevelgem is flat with the wind usually playing a big part in the final outcome.

 

After the ride you’ll transfer to our next hotel in Verviers in the heart of the Ardennes.

Day 5

Distance

Elevation


Amstel Gold Race: RIDE the last 100km

The Amstel Gold Race is always the first of the 3 Ardennes Classics. Think of Holland and you probably think of flat tulip fields and windmills. Not here – this is the Ardennes and your ride today is an endless rollercoaster of short climbs and steep descents.

Starting near Benzenrade, 15 climbs lie between you and the finish, including the iconic the Cauberg. Who can forget Mathieu van der Poel’s incredible ride to claim Amstel Gold victory in 2019.

Day 6

Distance

Elevation


Fleche Wallone: RIDE the last 100km

From the Dutch Ardennes we move to the French speaking Walloon region of Belgium. Your challenge today is the last 100km of the Classic Fleche-Wallonne race. This is Alejandro Valverde and Julian Alaphilippe territory with 7 wins between them in the last 8 years, and your chance to shine on one of cycling’s most famous monuments – the Mur de Huy! It’s short, but with grades of up to 26%, this one hurts. Bonne route!

Day 7

Distance

Elevation


Liege-Bastogne-Liege: RIDE the last 100km

“La Doyenne” (The Old Lady) is of course the oldest of the classics – and for many, this is also the toughest of the classics.

Once again, you’ll tackle the final 100km, starting from the village of Vielsalm, deep in the Belgian Ardennes. The route changes slightly every year but you can expect around 10 climbs packed into the last 100km. You’ll ride the icons: Cote de La Redoute and Cote de la Roche aux Faucons before the final run-in to the Finish in Liege.

Enjoy your final day in the Ardennes – Hell of the North and the cobbles are next!

Day 8

Distance

Elevation


From the Ardennes... to Hell

The Ardennes rides are over and you can now turn your attention towards the legendary cobbles that line the route between Paris and Roubaix.

A short drive takes us back to our first hotel in Lille where our mechanics will prepare the bikes for the Roubaix cobbles.

This is your chance to ride a few cobbled sections before tomorrow’s Gran Fondo. Our expert ride leaders will be on hand to provide guidance and advice on how to ride the cobbles before tomorrow’s big day!

Note: you can choose from 3 different Gran Fondo routes: 70km, 145km and 170km.

Day 9

Distance

Elevation


RIDE Paris-Roubaix Gran Fondo

A dream come true for any avid cyclist – the opportunity to ride the classic of all classics – Paris-Roubaix! You will be participating in the Paris-Roubaix Challenge Granfondo along with hundreds of other passionate riders from around the world.

The Gran Fondo route covers the same famous cobbled sections as tomorrow’s pro race: Le Carrefour de L’Arbre, Trouee d’Arenberg and other stretches of the infamous cobbles lie in wait on the famous route to the velodrome in Roubaix. Bon courage!

70km and 145km routes are also available

Day 10

Distance

Elevation


LIVE Viewing: Paris-Roubaix!

You rode it yesterday so you now know what it’s all about – and you can now watch the pros with a new sense of appreciation. Life as a pro cyclist is tough and nothing comes any tougher than racing from Paris to Roubaix.

Our status as Official Tour Operator gives us privileged access to the VIP areas at the Race Start and at the Race Finish inside the famous velodrome. You’ll also witness the action on one of the cobble sectors – so get ready for drama and an action-packed afternoon. Crashes, spills, punctures, broken bikes, broken bones will all play a part in the outcome of this legendary race – and you’ll be there to witness it all – LIVE!

Day 11

Distance

Elevation


Au Revoir!

Unfortunately, our Spring Classics trip has come to an end.

Our shuttle will drop you off at Lille Europe TGV Railway Station. From here you can catch a high-speed train to downtown Paris or to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Map & Profile

Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
No major climbs today
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
Leberg
3.4% 4
Valkenberg
4.5% 4
Kaperij
3.5% 4
Kanarieberg
7.5% 4
Koppenberg
10.6% 4
Steenbeekdries
2.7% 4
Taaienberg
5.1% 4
Kruisberg
Oudestraat
5.8% 4
Oude Kwaremont
4.2% 4
Paterberg
7.8% 4
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
No major climbs today
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
No major climbs today
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
Geulhemmerweg
4.6% 4
Bemelerberg
4.6% 4
Loorberg
4.9% 4
Gulperberg
6.3% 4
Kruisberg
Botterweck
7.4% 4
Eyserbosweg
7% 4
Fromberg
3.8% 4
Keutenberg
7.6% 4
Cauberg
4.6% 4
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
Mur de Huy
8.9% 4
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
Cote de Stockeu
11.9% 4
Cote de la Haute-Levee
5.3% 4
Col du Rosier
5.9% 4
Col du Maquisard
5.1% 4
toggle arrow Cote de la Redoute
9.2% 2
Profile
Map
Gradient (%)
0
0-6
6-8
8-10
10-12
12-15
>15
Cote de la Roche-aux-Faucons
9.4% 4
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
No major climbs today
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
No major climbs today
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
No major climbs today
Climb Distance Elevation Av. Grade Category
No major climbs today

Climbs

Day 01
Day 02
Day 04
Day 05
Day 06
Day 07
Day 08
Day 09

Climbs

Category Climb Day Difficulty Length Ele. Gain Av. Grade
4 Leberg 02 15 3.4%
4 Valkenberg 02 20 4.5%
4 Kaperij 02 16 3.5%
4 Kanarieberg 02 37 7.5%
4 Koppenberg 02 48 10.6%
4 Steenbeekdries 02 12 2.7%
4 Taaienberg 02 22 5.1%
4 Kruisberg (Oudestraat) 02 26 5.8%
4 Oude Kwaremont 02 20 4.2%
4 Paterberg 02 34 7.8%
4 Geulhemmerweg 05 21 4.6%
4 Bemelerberg 05 20 4.6%
4 Loorberg 05 23 4.9%
4 Gulperberg 05 28 6.3%
4 Kruisberg (Botterweck) 05 33 7.4%
4 Eyserbosweg 05 33 7%
4 Fromberg 05 17 3.8%
4 Keutenberg 05 34 7.6%
4 Cauberg 05 21 4.6%
4 Mur de Huy 06 46 8.9%
4 Cote de Stockeu 07 62 11.9%
4 Cote de la Haute-Levee 07 31 5.3%
4 Col du Rosier 07 38 5.9%
4 Col du Maquisard 07 27 5.1%
2 Cote de la Redoute 07 50 9.2%
4 Cote de la Roche-aux-Faucons 07 51 9.4%
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Dates & Prices Illustration

Dates & Prices



Date Booking Status Availability Price / Per Person Single Supplement Non-rider Discount
2024
Mar 29 - Apr 8
Taking Bookings
Places Available
USD $6,895
USD $950
USD $1,320
Book this trip
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    Trip Hotels

    Hotel Mercure Lille Marcq Baroeul

    Van der Valk Hotel Verviers


    What's Included

    What's Included What's Not Included
      Accommodations & Meals arrow
    • 11 days / 10 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All dinners
    • 2 lunches (on Day 1 and Day 8)
    • Race Passes & Gran Fondo Entries arrow
    • Entry to the Tour of Flanders Gran Fondo
    • Entry to the Paris-Roubaix Gran Fondo
    • VIP passes to the Start and Finish of the Paris Roubaix pro race
    • Transportation arrow
    • Pick-up and Drop-Off at Lille Europe Train Station
    • All transportation during the trip
    • All luggage & bike box transfers
    • Cycling Support arrow
    • 1 x Support Van & 1 x Ride Leader per 8 guests (approx.)
    • Experienced bike mechanic
    • Park Tools Toolkit
    • Daily ride gpx files provided
    • Nutrition during the ride arrow
    • Energy bars, gels and sports drink
    • Variety of snacks and local specialties
    • Bottled water
    • Airfare
    • Travel and personal insurance
    • Additional hotel expenses i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, gratuities
    • Staff gratuities
    What's Included
      Accommodations & Meals arrow
    • 11 days / 10 nights fully accompanied trip
    • All accommodations
    • All breakfasts
    • All dinners
    • 2 lunches (on Day 1 and Day 8)
    • Race Passes & Gran Fondo Entries arrow
    • Entry to the Tour of Flanders Gran Fondo
    • Entry to the Paris-Roubaix Gran Fondo
    • VIP passes to the Start and Finish of the Paris Roubaix pro race
    • Transportation arrow
    • Pick-up and Drop-Off at Lille Europe Train Station
    • All transportation during the trip
    • All luggage & bike box transfers
    • Cycling Support arrow
    • 1 x Support Van & 1 x Ride Leader per 8 guests (approx.)
    • Experienced bike mechanic
    • Park Tools Toolkit
    • Daily ride gpx files provided
    • Nutrition during the ride arrow
    • Energy bars, gels and sports drink
    • Variety of snacks and local specialties
    • Bottled water
    What's Not Included
    • Airfare
    • Travel and personal insurance
    • Additional hotel expenses i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, gratuities
    • Staff gratuities

    Travel details - airport departures

    Pick-up/Drop-off Info

    Arrival

    Pickup Location Time

    Lille Europe TGV Train Station (direct trains from Paris downtown or CDG airport)

    9:30am

    Departure

    Drop Off Location Time

    Lille Europe TGV Train Station (direct trains to Paris downtown or CDG airport)

    8:00am


    Rental Bikes

    Felt FR Advanced

    Frame

    Felt FR Advanced

    Groupset

    2023 SRAM Force AXS 12-speed

    Weight

    7.7kg (size 53)

    Wheels

    Reynolds AR46 DB Custom

    Chainrings

    48x35

    Cassette

    10-33

    Sizes

    47, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61

    USD $600

    View Details


    Spring Classics

    No-one does the Classics like Thomson!