Tour of Flanders Weekend

The Ronde van Vlaanderen is one of the monuments of the professional cycling calendar. A unique event, it combines a tough route punctuated by the legendary Flanderian bergs, a passionate and knowledgeable audience and some typically wild early season weather to produce a spectacle that is unmistakably Belgian.

Having made use of a number of starting points over the years, the professional race currently starts in the beautiful city of Brugge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its numerous examples of largely intact medieval architecture. From Brugge, the route traverses the Flandrian plain before encountering the succession of Bergs which characterise the race. The course included a circuit in 2012 to be completed three time and including two of the most iconic bergs on the route. The Oude Kwaremont and the super steep Paterberg are tackled three times each before the race finishes in front of a crowd of fanactical fans in the suburbs of Oudenaarde.

 
Giving cycling enthusiasts a chance to taste the flavour of the Ronde, the Tour of Flanders sportive takes place the day preceding the professional race. Three route choices allow the masochistic to take on the full race distance of 259km, or the pragmatist, the choice of the 140km or 75km routes.

View our Flickr album from Tour of Flanders 2011

Read an account of the weekend in 2011

For the weekend, we will be based in the city of Gent. Gent’s central location allows us easy access to the start of the professional race in Brugge, the famous bergs at the business end of the race and start and finish locations of the sportive on the preceding day. Gent, like Brugge, showcases the best in Belgian medieval architecture with its numerous canals providing a picturesque blend of the natural and built environments beauty.

Gent’s accessibility to tourists is enhanced by its extensive car-free centre making an afternoon stroll a simple pleasure in itself. Gent is embedded in Belgian cycling history playing host to the famous six day at the Kuipke and hosting the start of Gent – Wevelgem, the warm up race to it’s more famous brother.

What’s Included?
Four star accommodation
Evening meals at the hotel and restaurants
Transfers from Lille Eurostar terminal/Brussels Zaventem International Airport
Experienced guides and dedicated support car on each ride
Complimentary sports nutrition
La Fuga welcome pack
Race registration

What’s Not?
Flights/train
Lunchtime meals
Travel Insurance
Alcoholic Drinks/Minibar
Incidental Expenses

Bike Rental Price:

• £100

The Knowledge

• Max. Group Size: 12 guests
• Accommodation: 2 nights 4 star accommodation in Gent
• Event: Tour of Flanders Cyclosportive/Tour of Flanders pro race
• Other activities: Gent sightseeing
• Arrival: Lille TGV Station/Brussels International Airport
• Price: £765 (single occupancy double room)
• Price: £715 (double/twin occupancy room)

Tour of Flanders Weekend

Friday

Arrive into Lille by Eurostar or into Brussels Zaventem International Airport where we will complete the journey to Gent. Dependant on arrival time, we will enjoy a short spin around Gent to check over the bikes and loosen the legs.

Saturday

Today is your chance to take on the challenge of “de Ronde” for yourself. We will make the short journey to the start in Brugge for those taking on the 260km route and arrive with enough time to make final bike adjustments and a final coffee to settle the nerves. Another vehicle will take those attempting the 140km or 75km to Ninove, also with time to make final preparations. While you are taking on the bergs of Flanders, we’ll be making preparations for your return, setting up our exclusive La Fuga area where you’ll receive a post race beer, a comfy seat and a refreshing rub down, just like the pros.

After a well earned shower and perhaps a brief power-nap we’ll head into Gent to enjoy a great meal and exchange anecdotes over a glass or two of the local brew.

Sunday

After having suffered over the roads of Flanders yesterday, today is your chance to see the top professional riders slug it out over the same bergs. We’ll catch the start in Brugge, giving you the chance to mingle with the riders and sample the pre-race atmosphere. From Brugge, we’ll travel to the circuit which the race tackles three time and take our place on the Paterberg. We’ve got the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat and watch the womens race pass before the men tackle the super steep slopes three times. Once they pass for the final time we'll continue to watch the action on the big TV screens to see who takes the honours in this prestigious and hard fought race.

After catching all the action it's time to get you back home in time for work on Monday morning with a drop off at Lille International station or to Brussels Zaventem International Airport.

Tour of Flanders Weekend