2026 Spring Classics

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 unique and so 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 158km route, but there are also 74km and 128km options.

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.

Gent-Wevelgem is one of the Flemish Classics and always takes place on the Sunday before the Tour of Flanders. The race, also known as “Gent-Wevelgem – In Flanders Fields”, is 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 of 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.

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, 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!

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 Cauberg. Who can forget Mathieu van der Poel’s incredible ride to claim Amstel Gold victory in 2019?

“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. The Hell of the North and the cobbles are next!

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!

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 Gran Fondo 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 and Trouee d’Arenberg, while other stretches of the infamous cobbles lie in wait on the famous route to the velodrome in Roubaix. Bon courage!

Olease note that 70km and 145km routes are also available.

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 sections, 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!

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.