THE SPRING CLASSICS II: THE Ardennes
The Cauberg. The Mur de Huy. Côte de la Redoute. These are the climbs that define The Amstel Gold Race, La Flèche-Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. The second half of the most exciting month of racing kicks off in the southern corner of Holland, before finishing with the Ardennais double. And while winning La Flèche-Wallonne is surely a great achievement, it's laying claim to the oldest classic of them all that will keep your name on everyone's lips. If the Tour of Flanders is in your heart and Paris-Roubaix is in your head, then Liège-Bastogne-Liège is a race that is clearly in your legs. While an intricate knowledge of the cobbles of Flanders and pavé of Northern France is a prerequisite for success in Belgium and France, conquering Liège-Bastogne-Liège requires pure strength. Paris-Roubaix is unmatched in its uniqueness and the Tour of Flanders is, in so many aspects, the most beautiful. But as the oldest Classic, it is this race that demands the most when it comes to pure strength and attrition. No man has ever won Liège-Bastogne-Liège on luck.
World-Class Cycling
To gain a full appreciation of these Classics, a cyclist must, again, experience the courses and their nuances in detail. The final 40 kilometers of The Amstel Gold Race twists and turns across the hilly Dutch countryside, finishing atop the Cauberg. La Flèche-Wallonne is a relentless roller coaster, consisting of seven challenging climbs in addition to the Mur de Huy. And La Doyenne, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the oldest of the classics, is a hilly war of attrition, with altitude gain equal to even the most demanding Tour de France mountain stages, rewarding only the toughest with a well-earned victory.
Authentic Culture
The Ardennes is unlike any landscape in Belgium and Holland. Its steep river valleys and thick forests are pivotal to the nature of the races. The climbs of the Mur de Huy, La Redoute, Côte St. Roch and the Côte de Stockeu are rooted in the valleys once mined for their rich ore and iron. The historic towns of World War II, including Bastogne and Stavelot, honor the sacrifices American soldiers made in the Battle of the Bulge, and are the heart and soul of the region, that for one day a year, is linked through cycling history.
Exemplary Service
The culinary excellence of the Ardennes has a friendly rivalry with its neighboring province of Limburg, and its capital city of Maastricht. fine food and wine after a day of cycling are richly deserved, and we've selected the region's best kept secrets to experience the full breadth of the unique flavors of Belgium and Holland. Our race viewing days include VIP access passes, multiple race viewing locations and digital TV coverage to catch all the action. This is as close as you'll get to experience the races without being a pro. And you'll eat a lot better!