Ardennes Classics Tour 2026
Days
17 April - 27 April 2026
Book from
$6,532 AUD
Key Features of 11 day Tour
- 10 nights | 11 days
- Stay in 4* hotels in Valkenburg & Liege
- Daily Breakfast plus some lunch and evening meals
- Fully supported tour with experienced local guides
- Entry to Amstel Gold Race Sportive
- Entry to Liege Bastogne Liege Sportive
- Team Visma | Lease a Bike Race Lounge on Amstel Gold Race
- Finish Hospitality in Liege
- Full day on course with Team Visma | Lease a Bike on Fleche Wallone
- Visit to Shimano Experience Centre and a Belgian or Dutch beer brewery
- Return airport transfers from Brussels Airport at set times
- Spread your payments - Interest free payment plan
- Support from our bike guide and mechanic
2026 Ardennes Classics Tour with Sportive Breaks
Featuring - Amstel Gold Race, Fleche Wallone and Liege Bastogne Liege025
The start of April is when the cycling world properly awakens from its winter slumber. There are all sorts of races taking place daily across Northern France, Belgium, and the Netherlands over this crucial period in the racing calendar. The Ardennes Classics are a series of one-day professional road cycling races that take place in the Ardennes region of Belgium and the Netherlands.
These races are part of the UCI World Tour calendar and attract some of the top professional cyclists in the world. They are known for their challenging terrain, unpredictable weather conditions, and exciting finishes, making them highly anticipated events in the cycling calendar.
Your Experience
Spend 11 days with us in the Netherlands and Belgium on our Ardennes classics cycling tour. Our team of local riders and mechanics will guide you around their home roads for an unforgettable experience. Not only will the cyclists in the group be well-looked after, but there is also plenty to do for those who don’t ride a bike themselves but are fans of this great sport.
Designed for passionate cyclists, the Ardennes Classics Cycling Tour offers the chance to ride on the same roads as some of the world’s best cyclists, tackling the challenging hills, sharp climbs, and fast descents that define these renowned events.
Tour Inclusions and Price
Spend 11 days with us in the Netherlands and Belgium on our Ardennes Classics Cycling Tour. Ride the Amstel Gold and Liege Bastogne Liege sportives and see the pro races including Fleshe Wallone. Our team of local riders and mechanics will guide you around their home roads for an unforgettable experience. Not only will the cyclists in the group be well-looked after, there is also plenty to do for those who don’t ride a bike themselves but are fans of this great sport.
Prices in AUD
$6,532 per person based on two people sharing a twin (2 single beds)
$7,522 based on single occupancy of a room.
Non-Rider discount available of – $615
Included with your tour
- 5 nights at hotel Voncken in Valkenburg
- 5 nights at hotel Penta in Liege
- Daily breakfasts in line with event timings
- Evening meals in Liege
- All taxes are included
- Return airport transfers from Brussels International Airport at set times
- Guided rides in Limburg and Liege on Friday afternoon, the day before the sportives
- Entry for the Amstel Gold Race Sportive with a choice of distance
- Entry for the Liege Bastogne Liege Sportive with a choice of distance
- Transport to the start and finish of the Liege Bastogne Liege Sportive
- Visit to Shimano Experience Centre
- Visit to Belgian beer brewery
- Team Visma | Lease a Bike Race Lounge on Amstel Gold Race
- Full day on course with Team Visma | Lease a Bike on Fleche Wallone
- Finish Hospitality in Liege
- The services of our bike guide and bike mechanic
- Detailed Itinerary
Added Extras
- Bike rental for Scott Addict Shimano 105 Di2 12-speed disc at $ TBC
Itinerary
Day One - Arrival
Date
Location
Please make your own way to meet us in Valkenburg. Valkenburg is a 3.30hr drive from Calais if you are driving. Alternatively, we provide one airport transfer from Brussels Airport (BRU) at 11.00 for an additional charge. Private airport transfers available from Brussels (BRU). Contact us for details
For more details on the group transfer click here.
Our staff will assist you with getting your bikes ready after travel and if you have ordered bike rental, these will also be available. This afternoon, enjoy a short coffee spin where we will see parts of the Amstel Gold Race.
The evening is free for you to eat out.
Daily Highlights
- Expert Staff
- Fitting of rental bikes
- 4* Hotel in Valkenburg
- Short warm up ride
- Airport to Hotel Transfer at set time
Day Two - Amstel Gold Sportive
Date
Location
Today you will ride the Amstel Gold Sportive:
Included with the Amstel Gold Race Sportive entry
- Participation in the Tour version Amstel Gold Race (Sportive), without the need to enter the lottery
- Breakfast at the VIP-pavilion
- Reserved parking near the VIP-pavilion
- Guarded bicycle parking
- Special shower and changing facilities
- Photo with the ‘flower girls’
- Buffet after your ride of the Tour version Amstel Gold Race (Sportive)
- Unique gift
This morning we will have breakfast at the VIP pavilion. Here there’s secure bike parking and changing facilities.
Start Times:
- 06:30 – 09.00: Start 240km (orange arrows)
- 06:30 – 09.00: Start 200km (pink arrows)
- 07:00 – 11.00: Start 150km (red arrows)
- 07:00 – 11.00: Start 125km (yellow arrows)
- 07:00 – 11.00: Start 100km (blue arrows)
- 08:00 – 11.00: Start 65km (black arrows)
Anticipated Programme
- From 07:00 breakfast is available in the private start area in Valkenburg near the start
- 09:30-11:00 Start Toerversie Amstel Gold Race
- 14:00-18:00 Pasta buffet in a private area at the finish
After the finish, we will return to our hotel.
You can eat out in Valkenburg in the evening.
Daily Highlights
- Fully Supported
- Ride Amstel Gold Sportive Event
- 4* Hotel in Valkenburg
Ride
Amstel Gold Sportive (various distances)
Meals
VIP Breakfast & Pasta Buffet at the Finish
Day Three - Amstel Gold Race Team Visma | Lease a Bike Lounge.
Date
Location
Valkenburg
After breakfast we will spend the day in Valkenburg as a guest of Team Visma | Lease a Bike. We have access to the Race Lounge where we will be in a great position to see several passages of the riders whilst enjoying live TV coverage and food and drinks. More information on what’s included with today’s experience can be found here
Daily Highlights
- Fully Supported
- 4* Hotel in Valkenburg
- Team Visma | Lease a Bike Race Lounge
Meals
Breakfast
Day Four - Guided ride and Shimano Experience Centre
Date
Location
After breakfast we will head out on the bikes for a guided ride. Exact route to be confirmed.
In the afternoon we will take you the Shimano experience centre. There are six areas to explore and there are two types of cycling simulators one for road and one for MTB for you to have a go on. As with any cycling experience there is an onsite cafe.
In the evening you are free to eat out in Valkenburg.
Daily Highlights
- Fully Supported
- 4* Hotel in Valkenburg
- Shimano Experience Centre Visit
Ride
Guided ride (route to be confirmed)
Meals
Breakfast
Medium Ride
Day Five - Team Visma | Lease a Bike High Performance Centre Visit
Date
Location
Discover the beating heart of Team Visma | Lease a Bike at the High Performance Centre in Den Bosch.
A visit to the High Performance Centre is more than just a day out. It’s a unique look into the epicenter of Team Visma | Lease a Bike, where all the elements of success come together. The High Performance Centre is a haven for gear enthusiasts. This is where all the riders’ bikes are assembled with the latest and best components.
The drive is a bout 90 minutes. We will have lunch included today and we will return mid-afternoon to Valkenburg.
Daily Highlights
- Fully Supported
- 4* Hotel in Valkenburg
- TVL High Performance Centre
Ride
No ride today
Meals
Breakfast & Lunch
Day Six - La Fleche Wallone day with Team Visma | Lease a Bike
Date
Location
Spend a day with Team Visma | Lease a Bike today. You will travel in a yellow and black TVL vehicle on the course of the Fleche Wallone. The vehicle has race radio on board and lunch is included. You will stop at various points on the route to assist the team with handing out water bottles.
The men’s, and women’s editions of the Flèche Wallonne will welcome the biggest stars of the pelotons on the characteristic roads of these exhausting and explosive events. The Walloon Classic, in the heart of spring, is a highlight of the cycling season. A race reserved for the ‘puncheurs’ and ‘puncheuses’. The race features the infamous Mur de Huy. The Flèche Wallonne is one of the 3 ‘Ardennes Classics’. The others being the Amstel Gold Race and Liege Bastogne Liege.
Daily Highlights
- Fully Supported
- In the Heart of the Race with TVL
- 4* Hotel in Liege
- Hospitality Experience
Meals
Breakfast & Lunch
Day Seven - Move to Liege and Guided Ride
Date
Location
We will leave Valkenburg this morning and travel the short distance to Liege where we will stay the next 4 nights at the Penta hotel with breakfasts and dinners included.
After checking in, join us on our first ride in the area; a guided ride around Liege that takes in some of the LBL route
Daily Highlights
- Transfer to Liege
- Fully Supported
- 4* Hotel in Liege
Ride
Guided Ride
Meals
Breakfast & Evening Meal
Medium Ride
Day Eight - Brewery Visit and Ride Brief
Date
Location
Late afternoon and early evening, our tour leaders and bike mechanics are available for you. This afternoon you are free to enjoy the hotel’s facilities. You are free to eat your meal at the hotel or to explore some of Liege’s restaurants. Moules Frites anyone?
Race Briefing
This evening our bike guides will do a race briefing to run through the LBL Challenge race day logistics and of course the route.
Evening meal at the hotel.
Daily Highlights
- Fully Supported
- Race Briefing
- 4* Hotel in Liege
- Sightseeing
Meals
Breakfast & Evening Meal
Day Nine - The LBL Challenge
Date
Location
Today is the day! We have an early start this morning. Early breakfasts are arranged in the hotel restaurant.
Getting to the Start
The start and finish of the Sportives are in Sprimont at about 30km from Liege. We provide transport today. Our staff will be on hand this morning if you have any last-minute mechanical issues, or if you need directions to the start line.
The challenge operates rolling start times rather than a mass start so you can start between the below times.
Start Times
- 257 km: between 6:30am and 7:30am
- 147 km: between 6:30am and 9:30am
- 70 km: between 8am and 10am
The official closing of the finish is scheduled to be at 8pm.
Post Ride
We’ll meet you for post ride beers at the hotel from 17.00 before having the evening meal together.
Daily Highlights
- Fully Supported
- Transport to Race Start
- 4* Hotel in Liege
- Expert Bike Mechanic
Ride
LBL Challenge (various distances)
Meals
Breakfast & Evening Meal
sportive
Day Ten - Liege Bastogne Liege
Date
Location
Liege
Liège-Bastogne-Liège is the 4th Monument of the season. As it has been around for so long, it’s also called ‘La Doyenne des Classiques’ (the old lady of the classics). LBL marks the end of the Ardennes Classics period usually as Amstel Gold, Fleche Wallonne and LBL follow on from each other in a week. It also spells the end for the Spring Classics season as the next stop is the Giro d’Italia for many of the riders.
The start and finish are both located at the Quai des Ardennes in Liege. It takes about 30 minutes to get there from the hotel. After watching the start you will have access to finish hospitality from where you can watch the race live and see the finish.
Evening meal at the hotel.
Daily Highlights
- Fully Supported
- 4* Hotel in Liege
- Finish Hospitality in Liege
Meals
Breakfast & Evening Meal
Day Eleven - Departure Day
Date
Location
Liege
We will run one airport transfer to Brussels Airport on departure at 09.00 for flights departing after 12.00.
If you book a flight at any other time, either earlier or later, please contact us to discuss private transfer options.
Daily Highlights
- Fully Supported
- Airport Transfer to Brussels at set time
Meals
Breakfast
More About This Tour
The Month of April is when the cycling world properly awakens from its winter slumber. There are all sorts of races taking place virtually daily across Northern France, Belgium, and the Netherlands over this crucial period in the racing calendar. The Ardennes Classics are a series of one-day professional road cycling races that take place in the Ardennes region of Belgium and the Netherlands. The three main races in the Ardennes Classics are:
- Amstel Gold Race: The Amstel Gold Race is typically held in April and is the first of the Ardennes Classics. It takes place in the Netherlands and features a hilly parcours with numerous climbs and challenging terrain. The race finishes on the Cauberg, a short but steep climb that often plays a decisive role in determining the winner.
- La Flèche Wallonne: La Flèche Wallonne is held in late April and is known for its challenging route in the Wallonia region of Belgium. The race includes several climbs, with the famous Mur de Huy being the key feature. The Mur de Huy is a short but incredibly steep climb that is tackled multiple times during the race, and it usually provides an exciting finale.
- Liège-Bastogne-Liège: Liège-Bastogne-Liège, also known as “La Doyenne” (The Old Lady), is the oldest of the Ardennes Classics and is usually held in late April. It is a demanding race that covers a long distance and includes numerous climbs, including the iconic Côte de la Redoute and the Côte de Saint-Nicolas. The race finishes in the city of Liège after a challenging and unpredictable course.
These races are part of the UCI WorldTour calendar and attract some of the top professional cyclists in the world. They are known for their challenging terrain, unpredictable weather conditions, and exciting finishes, making them highly anticipated events in the cycling calendar.
Tour Start and Finish
Tour Start – Friday 17th April 2026
Please make your own way to meet us in Valkenburg for the start of the tour. We do provide one optional airport transfer from Brussels Airport (BRU) at 11.00. Private airport transfers are available from Brussels (BRU).
Tour Finish – Monday 27th April 2026
On departure we will provide one airport transfer to Brussels Airport on departure at 09.00 for flights departing after 12.00.
If you book a flight at any other time, please contact us to discuss private transfer options.
Who Is This Tour For?
Cyclists and Spectators
Our tour is suitable for both cyclists of any level and non-cycling spectators with a love for the sport. The hotels we stay at are in excellent locations with daily breakfasts included.
We also have a team of local riders and mechanics on hand who will guide you around their home roads for an unforgettable experience.
Travel Information
Valkenburg
The quaint town of Valkenburg is surrounded by the beautiful rolling hills of Limburg. The province of Limburg, located in the far south of the Netherlands, is squeezed in between the neighbouring countries of Belgium and Germany. At its southernmost point is the town of Vaals, only 20km away from Valkenburg and just 5 km away from the German city of Aachen. The Dutch, most of whom live in flat polder areas, and some of whom even live below sea level, are proud of their 323 m high Vaalserberg. As a result, the mountain has also become a popular destination for trips. A viewing tower at its peak gives a free view over 3 countries: Belgium, Germany, and Holland.
Airports:
Brussels Airport 122 km, Maastricht Aachen Airport 8 km, Liège Airport 40 km, Eindhoven Airport 87 km, Cologne Airport 95 km, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol 215 km
Train Station:
Houthem St. Gerlach 1 km / Maastricht 10 km
Liege
The city has complementary incentive parking areas around the city with easy access to the city centre using public transport. You just need to buy your bus or tram ticket! Please note that parking on public roads is free on Sunday. More details about parking in Liege.
- From Brussels via the E40
- From Namur via the E42
Nearest Train Stations:
To travel by train from the UK to Belgium, the easiest and fastest option is to include the direct Eurostar train from London to Brussels (ticket price from 35 EUR, travel time 2:15).
You can travel between the Liège-Guillemins train station (Guillemins district, Boverie Park) to Liège-Saint-Lambert train station in the city centre. There are around 5 trains an hour. More information
Nearest Airport:
- Liège Airport (12 km)
- Brussels airport (94 km)
- Brussels South Charleroi airport (88 km)
Electric Scooters:
Electric scooters are easy to use and a fast means to get where you want! In Liège they are available almost everywhere. More information about electric scooters in Liege
Hotels
Hotel Voncken is located in the centre of Valkenburg. The hotel is a family run and has been in the same family for more than 125 years. All rooms have air-conditioning and en-suites. The hotel has a bar and lounge for you to enjoy a wide selection of drinks. There is also a restaurant in the hotel or room service is available. The hotel also offers secure bike storage.
In the heart of Liege, you’ll find a hotel designed with comfort and style in mind. Pentahotel Liege sits on the doorstep of the famous Carre area of Liege.
- Distance to Place Saint Lambert (Start of Liege Bastogne Liege) – 10 minute walk
- Distance to Quai des Ardennes (Finish of Liege Bastogne Liege) – 30 mins by public transport
- Distance to Sprimont (start and finish of the LBL Sportive) – 25km
Each room is spacious, non-smoking and stocked with luxurious bathroom amenities and hair dryers. There’s free and fast access to Wifi.
The hotel’s Pentalounge has become a destination in its own right. Known for its great food, chilled vibe and array of drinks, it’s the perfect place to get together or simply unwind.
You're in safe hands
We have a team of highly experienced professionals who have been organising cycling trips for over 25 years.
Plenty to choose from
Did you know we offer the biggest selection of European Gran Fondo and Cyclo-Sportive events.
Spread your payments
Our payment plan is an interest-free payment method where you will have the opportunity to spread payment for your booking. *Selected products. Terms and Conditions apply
Logistics covered
We know the routes, we know the roads. We know how the event works and the best hotels for the start and finish. We organise everything for you; transfers, bike transport, additional feed stops, rep support and more.
