April 4 and 11 were the two most exciting days of the Spring Classics and cycling tourists. The 88th Tour of Flanders and 102nd edition of Paris-Roubaix, being the highlights of the Flanders Classics, are famous for their cobblestone roads and climbs. We were there and are happy to give you some of our impressions…

On Saturday, April 3, 12.000 cyclingtourists (cyclists and mountainbikers) had the possibility to cycle “their” Tour. In the start and arrival area we saw only but happy faces. Bikers of all ages with bikes in all shapes and sizes had the possibility to cycle 47, 90 or 153 miles. Mountainbikers had separate circuits: however some of them challenged the Tour circuit. Varied and lousy weather, the varied landscapes of the Flemish Ardennes and the 18 so called “mountains” (short, but tough, steep cobblestoned hills) were the ingredients for a perfect cycle happening.














Cycling is doing very well !! On our part of the circuit we witnessed a lot of solidarity between the participants as well as lots af signs of sportsmanship.

The day after it was our turn to encourage the professionals during the official Tour. Something new was the Tour of Flanders for Ladies (59 miles) ...

After the start and presentation of the teams in Brugge, we first went to see a cobblestoned road; the speed of the cyclist platoon on such a road surface is impressive. We jumped in our car and rushed to the “Wall of Geraardsbergen”, one of the most decisive locations of the Tour (a 475 m narrow cobblestoned road with an average climb of 9.3 % and a maximum climb of 20 %).

The atmosphere was unique and cosy. When the leaders rushed up the hill, the hell broke out between the supporters. The race was much promising for our “Flandriens”… and we also saw a strong Hincapie...

Another rush to the market place of Geraardsbergen to watch the finish on a “giant” screen. A strong Wesemann was too quick for the most of our favorites...

A week later –two days before the Queen of Classics- we went to test some of the 26 cobblestone sectors in the area of the Carrefour de l’Arbre in Northern France. We witnessed the build up for the race (installation of BBQ’s, unload beer trucks...) but also many other courageous Belgian, Dutch, French and some American cycletourists.

We defied the cobblestones of the Hell and appreciated the encouragements of some supporters, who hoped to catch a glimpse of their idols doing some “scouting cycling”. One of our fellow cycling tourists started from the very beginning and cycled the complete race, the day after the diehard was scheduled for another 94 miles “cycle walk" ...!

Carrefour de l’Arbre... On the way back home we saw in the next village the Quickstep-Davitamon coach. Some team-members, being Johan Museeuw “The Lion of Flanders” and Tom Boonen and the team manager Lefevere were interviewed by TV and press journalists. We had a talk to Servais Knaven, one of the recent Paris-Roubaix winners.

As Tour of Flanders, the last strokes were not favourable for the most favorites: two days later, the last “sector” of the Hell would be decisive for the last classic of The Lion who closed his succesfull career some days after. The cobblestone sector of the Carrefour de l’Arbre also was fatal for Van Petegem as well as Hincapie… That’s Paris-Roubaix... certainly the most difficult one-day race in Europe!

Cycling Classics offers the opportunity to experience these historic classics in all their aspects! See you next year!