While we are all holed up on our turbo trainers wishing it won’t snow this weekend, attentions are turning to the Spring Classics. You might even be watching past editions on DVD to provide inspiration, motivation and the relevant “hard-man” status that endless hours on a turbo require.
For 2011, La Fuga is offering tours to both the Ronde Van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders) and Paris-Roubaix. These two Northern classics are linch-pin one-day races which can make or break a career. Now its possible to ride both events the day before the pro’s take to the same pave.
Beginning with Flanders, you’ll arrive in Gent on April 1, more’s the fools that don’t. It will be a memorable weekend of bicycling riding, beer drinking, frites en mayo eating across the fields of Flanders. Saturday April 2 will see an early start from our 4* base in central Gent, as we take you to the start of your sportive. You can ride the full length from Bruges or a great circular ride from Ninove. Whichever you chose, the famous bergs await. Will it be the length of the Oude Kwaremont or the steepness of the Paterberg that catches you off guard? Whichever, there will be plenty of epic stories to recount over dinner back in Gent.
Sunday 3rd April its the Pro’s time. We’ll catch the race in a couple of places, before heading to see the famous Muur. In 2010, the race literally unfolded below us as Cancellara pressed the motor and left Boonen gasping for air. With the race over, and the partisan Flemish crowds dispersing its time to head home to recount stories to friends and family.
Next up its Paris Roubaix – the Queen of the Classics, or a Sunday in Hell.
Maybe bergs aren’t your thing, or maybe its the thought of a new challenge. For the first time, in 2011 you’ll be able to ride the parcours of Paris Roubaix a day ahead of the pro peleton. 165km of sportive await, beginning in St Quentin. Your 3* base in the centre of Peronne will immerse you in more than just cycling history. Its the scene of some of the most ferocious fighting in the two World Wars.
Arriving in Peronne on Friday, April 8, by transfer from SW London or Lille International, you’re bike will be prepped to battle on the cobbles. A short transfer to St Quentin on Saturday morning for the 7h30 start and you can begin to compare yourself to Merckx or Boonen. Crossing legendary sectors of pave, such as Cysoing, Mons-enPevele, you’ll reach the velodrome at Roubaix to complete a lap, before a visit to the showers.
Sunday is the turn of the Pro’s to do battle. We’ll take you to the centre of the action, and you can keep pace via the race on TV. Its one of 5 monuments of cycling and one not to be missed.
Your weekend will finish with a transfer back to London or Lille, and you’ll dream of riding pave, pave, pave.
To book these awesome spring classics follow these links – Flanders and Roubaix
