2024 Ardennes Classics – Amstel Gold Race Sportive
Ride two cycle sportives and see the classics Paris-Roubaix and Tour of Flanders.
Experience the passion for Spring in the north of Europe. Hosted by a local former professional cyclist.
If you are a true Cycling Enthusiast then you have to see a Classic once in your life!
11 days
Brussels, Belgium
Tour Departs
Brussels, Belgium, April 12, 2024 TBC
Tour Finishes
Brussels, Belgium, April 22, 2024 TBC
Tour Style
Group Size: 15 guests – 3 staff
Rides: Sealed roads, some bikeways and Cobble Stones
Challenge Rating: Some small hills – Cobble Stones
Accommodation: 3 to 4 star hotels, twin share, optional single supplement when booking
Trip Suitability
Social Riding and Leisure: We understand that your cycling holiday is a HOLIDAY! We understand that you don’t normally ride everyday at home. Our ride routes cherry-pick the best areas.
Experienced Riders: Your cycling holiday is all actually about the bike! Our epic and challenge ride options seek more vertical metres and longer miles.
Meals Included
Buffet breakfast every day, 5 dinners and 4 picnic lunches
Tour Inclusions
- Professional and experienced cycling guides
- 10 nights accommodation – 3 star apartment (Gent), a quality 4 star Hotel (Ieper) and 4 star hotel in Zaventem.
- Travel in air-conditioned vehicles
- Transfers from designated collection and drop-off locations
- All meals (as listed on itineraries)
- Mechanical assistance with your bike
- Ride nutrition (including drinking water, sport powders and bars / muffins and fruit)
- Tour ride jersey and bib-shorts
- Ride files and detailed tour itinerary
- Entry to Tour of Flanders and Paris Roubaix Sportif
Why we Love this Tour
- Ride the Tour of Flanders Cycle Sportive event and the Paris Roubaix Cycle Sportive event.
- See two of the greatest races in the world and a semi-classic:
- Tour of Flanders
- Grote Scheldeprijs
- Paris Roubaix
- Ride the famous roads with Eric de Clercq, an ex Belgian Pro
- Visit the Tour of Flanders Centre and Museum
- Visit traditional Belgium Brewery
- Experience Belgian Hospitality
- Immerse yourself in a true Cycling Culture
- Visit Flanders Fields and Ieper with the Menin Gate and Battle Field Tour.
- Be part of a Pro Tour Team on race day.
Pricing
Price: AUD $TBC (twin share)
Single Supplement: AUD $TBC
Note: All trip costs are per person, not including airfare and based on two persons per room. If travelling alone we will match you with a person to share. Alternatively, you may choose to have a room of your own by paying the single supplement.
Note: It is a requirement of Bikestyle Tours that you have Travel Insurance for your trip.
Bike Hire
Many guests find it convenient to hire one of our professionally prepared quality hire bikes.
- Hire a bike so that you’re not lugging a bike around on your extended European holiday
- Hire a bike and mitigate damage or delays during international transit
Bike Hire Charges
Bike Hire: AUD $TBC
Note: Renters of our hire bikes are liable for damages to their hire bike during the period of hire, treat it like you own for the rental period. Bikes are set up to your measurements before your arrival and are fully serviced by our professional mechanic.
When is the Ardennes Classics?
Ardennes classics are raced in the weeks following the Spring Classics races. The Ardennes is a region with dense forests and rolling hills. There a a number of ridges created from erosion by the many river systems, this creates challenging cycling terrain.
You would not normally associate Holland with hilly terrain. But, the border-region between Holland, Germany and Belgium creates some of the most exciting races on the UCI World Tour calendar.
Amstel Gold Race and Liege-Bastogne-Liege are very exciting races as the earlier races in Flanders and Roubaix tire some of the riders. Driven to redeem their earlier spring classics disappointments, their tired legs come up against fresh riders that are more suited the longer climbs.
Hosted by local Belgian and former professional cyclist, Eric de Clercq
Share the local roads of Eric de Clercq, the Tour of Flanders typically passes his front door. He can certainly claim home ground advantage. He came very close one year almost being the sole survivor in the breakaway.
Eric’s career of 11 years saw him win 19 victories including a stage win in the Tour of Britain. He is one of the hard men of Belgium. Eric rode for:
- La William-Duvel from 1991-1993
- Collstrop from 1994-2002
You will find Eric a wonderful host as he shares his experiences with professional cycling teams. From racing, to sports director, professional soigneur to hosting team VIP’s during race-day. You will learn an incredible insight into the Spring Classics races, as well as meet some of the riders and managers.
Most of all, Eric is a great guide who cares for your experience and he is a pleasure to spend time with on and off the bike.
Ardennes Classics Tour Itinerary
Welcome to the Ardennes Classics
Your trip starts today in Brussels where we will take you to the oldest city of Belgium, Tongeren, our base for the next 6 nights where you can unpack and settle in.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
Amstel Gold Cycle Sportif
Today we will travel over the border to Holland for your own Amstel Gold Race. You will experience what it feels like to grovel over these steep climbs. If you think Holland is flat, think again.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
Amstel Gold
Today we will do the Amstel Gold Race again but this time as a spectator. The beautiful area with a mixture of tough climbs and small roads in such a small area makes this race special.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
Amstel Gold without the crowds
Today we go back to the Netherlands to ride a part of the Amstel without the other 16,000 cyclists. We will start and finish our ride in Valkenburg. After our ride, we can have some lunch in one of the many restaurants in Valkenburg.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
Fleche Wallonne Ride
Today we will ride the final circuit of Flêche Wallonne, which means that we start in Huy at the feed-zone. This 100km trip offers 7 hills and ends at the Mur of Huy (9,3 to 17 %).
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
Fleche Wallonne Race
Today we will see the first of two Belgian Ardennes classics, La Flèche Wallonne (the Walloon Arrow) is held mid-week between the Amstel Gold Race and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
Liege-Bastogne-Liege Ride
Before the pros hit the circuit for Sundays Liège-Bastogne-Liège, we will attempt some of the climbs of Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
and Côte de la Haute Levée.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
Riding through the water & Bike Valley.
Tomorrow’s Liege-Bastogne-Liege Sportif will be a tough day on the bike so we offer an easy ride today to keep the legs fresh for tomorrow. We also visit the Flanders Bike Valley Ridley wind tunnel near Beringen.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
Liege-Bastogne-Liege Sportif
Today is our day to ride the Liege-Bastogne-Liege Challenge, the day before the race itself. We will offer 2 distances today 164km and 84km (TBC).
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
Liege-Bastogne-Liege Race
The start of today’s race takes place in the centre of Liege. We will see the start of the race before heading off on our own little race.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
A Bientot from the Ardennes
Sadly our trip ends this morning after breakfast at our hotel. We hope you have enjoyed your week at the Ardennes Classics with us.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
Why Pre-Book with Bikestyle Tours?
Pre-bookings are risk free and guarantees you a spot!
Our pre-booking system is risk free way to reserve your place. That means you have first right of refusal once we’ve released the official trip itinerary. You’ll have 10 days to decide from when you receive the itinerary to confirm or cancel the booking. If the itinerary doesn’t suit you, you can cancel your booking within the 10-day period and your pre-booking deposit is fully refunded to you.
Our Trips are Guaranteed Departures.
Guaranteed departures give you peace of mind that once you’ve booked your trip – you’re going! We do not cancel trips due to insufficient numbers leaving you stranded. Our customers come from all over the world, so no matter where you live we can help you with your cycling vacation.