Sportive Breaks

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Spring Classics Tour - Flanders and Roubaix 2024

10 Nights

Days

28th March - 8 April 2024

difficulity 

Very Difficult

From

$4,875 AUD

Why Book This Trip?

The start 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, but two giant events stand out above all others. The Tour of Flanders and Paris Roubaix.

Both events have their own amateur cycling events taking place the day before on Saturdays. Amateur riders from all over the world come and test themselves on the same roads as the professionals the day after. Each Sportive offers a variety of distances from (nearly) full-distance challenges to shorter trips over the cobbles and bergs of Flanders and Roubaix.

Spend 12 days with us in Flanders and Roubaix on the ultimate spring 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 there is also plenty to do for those who don’t ride a bike themselves but are fans of this great sport.

What's Included?

Highlights from the Past Event

Itinerary

Day To Day

Our mechanic is at the hotel to help build bikes and to fit rentals. For those that want a warm-up ride, we head out this afternoon at 14.00 for a 50km ride including some cobbled climbs. In the evening our guides will talk through the tour programme.

Bike rental information

We provide 3 different bike rental options for our customers on the Spring Classics Tour. From a top-of-the-range Giant TCR Advanced carbon with Shimano Ultegra Di2 to more affordable options such as Giant TCR Advanced carbon with Shimano mechanical Ultegra and Giant Contend SL 1 aluminium frame with Shimano 105.

  • Giant TCR Advanced carbon with Shimano Ultegra Di2 – $925*
  • Giant TCR Advanced carbon with Shimano mechanical Ultegra – $720*
  • Giant Contend SL 1 aluminium frame with Shimano – $525*

    *Price subject to change, confirmed at the time of booking
Airport Transfers
Airport collections are from Brussels Airport (BRU) and the drive to Oudenaarde takes around 1 hour 30 minutes. If you are arriving by Eurostar, there are regular connecting trains to the airport, and the journey takes 20 to 30 min

We have an early start this morning. Early breakfast is arranged in the hotel restaurant. The long distance starts from Brugge and the other distances start and finish in Oudenaarde so we offer transport to get there this morning.

Start & finish / location & hours

START Cyclo 217km
Brugge – 07.00 – 08.00

START 177km, 136km, 72km
Oudenaarde (Lindestraat, Oudenaarde)

  • Cyclo 177 km: 07.00 – 08.30
  • Cyclo 136 km: 08.30 – 10.00
  • Cyclo 72 km: 10.00 – 11.00

FINISH

The finish of all distances is on the Markt in Oudenaarde. The last aid station closes at 19:00. If you arrive here later, you are no longer an official participant and you are obliged to take the shortest route to the finish. The finish in Oudenaarde officially closes at 20h00. Once you finish in Oudenaarde, we provide transport back to Kortrijk.

This afternoon and early evening we’ll assist you with re-packing your bikes ahead of travel and you’ll also be able to return your rental bikes with us if you are not using them tomorrow.
The evening is free for you to eat out in one of Kortrijk’s many restaurants.

Riders and fans are eagerly looking forward to the finish in the centre of Oudenaarde. The champions sprint to the finish line. In Oudenaarde you experience it from the front row: live and on the big screen. The Donkmeer and the Markt are the places to be. You can see the race live 4 times. If you walk up and down between the market square of Oudenaarde and the arrival area you will see the race pass by and be able to witness two finishes (men and women).

We will provide transport for you to get to Oudenaarde. Below we have listed a couple of different options for you today.

Stay in Oudenaarde

In the last 75 km, the most notorious passages are lurking: from the Koppenberg and the Hotond to the Oude Kwaremont and the Paterberg. Riders and fans are eagerly looking forward to the finish in the centre of Oudenaarde. The champions sprint to the finish line. In Oudenaarde you experience it from the front row: live and on the big screen. The Donkmeer and the Markt are the places to be. You can see the race live 4 times. If you walk up and down between the market square of Oudenaarde and the arrival area you will see the race pass by and be able to witness two finishes (men and women).

Shuttle bus to Oude Kwaremont

There is a free shuttle bus from Oudenaarde station up to the public village on the Oude Kwaremont where you can see the riders 3 times. There are pubs, food and beer vans and a big screen so you can alternate between standing by the road-side and watching the big screen.

Tour of Flanders Hospitality

Alternatively, we also provide a programme of official VIP experiences – More information heres

After yesterday’s exertions we’ll take it a bit easier today. This morning we offer an optional guided ride of about 50 – 70km. This afternoon, we will take you on a guided visit of the Centrum Ronde van Vlaanderen Museum

Today we have an easier, relaxed day. We will still offer a guided ride in the morning. In the afternoon we will take you on a guided visit of a local Belgian beer brewery with plenty of tasting included of course. Transport included.

The Scheldeprijs is also known as the unofficial World Championship for sprinters. The finish is in Schoten near Antwerp. After visiting the port city of Antwerp, we’ll travel the short distance to Schoten to watch the sprint finish.

Final night in Kortrijk

Visit Flanders Fields in Ypres. 4 hr bike tour including historical sites and the Commonwealth cemetery. Afterwards, we will visit Koers Cycling Museum in Ypres before moving to Roubaix.

At 14.00 we lead a guided ride over the cobbles so you can test, bike and share tips with our guide and the rest of the group.

You will be able to see how the riders of the Men’s and Women’s cycling elite handle the cobbled sectors of Roubaix tomorrow. Today it’s your turn. 24 hours before the professionals, amateurs from around the world will have the opportunity to measure themselves against the legend of the Hell of the North with its mythical cobbled sections like the “Carrefour de l’Arbre” and the “Trouée d’Arenberg”. All distances start and finish at the Roubaix velodrome apart from the long distance route. Transport to long distance included. All distances finish in Roubaix at the velodrome.

Today is Paris Roubaix day. Today’s finish is in the Roubaix velodrome not far from the hotel. We offer a full-day spectator experience with live race viewing. Your day finishes in the velodrome.

After breakfast we offer our optional transfer back to Brussels International airport at 09.00. Please book flights that depart after 13.00. Alternatively please make your own arrangements.

More About the Event

The first Sunday of April is the date of the Tour of Flanders. The Ronde van Vlaanderen is Belgium’s biggest sporting event, boasting enormous television audiences and thronged roadsides. A week later, it’s the turn of the Queen of the Classics, Paris – Roubaix. Usually described as the world’s most famous one-day race, the “Hell of the North” has captured the public’s imagination for 120 years. The images of gaunt faces streaked with mud span the decades with a timeless quality that belongs indisputably and uniquely to Roubaix.

Hotel Messeyne in Kortrijk

Kortrijk

Nestled in the centre of Kortrijk is the Hotel Messeyne, an elegant family hotel just five minutes from the Grote Markt. For business travel as well as a family vacation, this hotel is the ideal base of operations. It’s within walking distance of all of Kortrijk’s many attractions. All the rooms are up to standard and are regularly renovated and refreshed.

  

When the sun is shining, our terrace is one of the most sought-after spots in Kortrijk. Every morning, the hotel restaurant serves an extensive breakfast buffet, too.

 

All guests are welcome to use wellness facilities, including a sauna and hammam, and a modern fitness room at any time.

 

All rooms offer WiFi, and parking at the hotel is free.

  • Free WiFi
  • Free wellness spa
  • Free parking
  • 28 stylish rooms
  • Beautiful sun terrace
  • Extensive breakfast buffet
  • Just a few minutes from the renowned gourmet restaurant Hof van Cleve
  • Close to all the Kortijk attractions

Mercure Lille Roubaix Grand Hotel

 Roubaix 

The Mercure Lille Roubaix Grand Hotel welcomes you in beautiful historical Art Deco surroundings. All bedrooms have air-conditioning and a courtesy tray. Enjoy the hotel’s cozy bar, and fresh, seasonal dishes in its restaurant; Le Vieil Abreuvoir. A sauna and a fitness room are also available.

The hotel is located in the heart of Roubaix at just a 10-minute drive from Lille with its Eurostar connection from the UK. The hotel is within 500 metres from Roubaix SNCF Train Station and less than 250 metres from Roubaix Grand Place Metro Station. The hotel is within 15 minutes of the Roubaix Velodrome.

Guest rooms at the Mercure Lille Roubaix Grand Hôtel are equipped with free Wi-Fi access and a flat-screen TV with cable channels. The private bathrooms have either a bath or a rain shower.

The Vieil Abreuvoir restaurant serves traditional brasserie-style cuisine, and guests can enjoy an evening drink in the hotel bar, by the fireplace.

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.

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Ambasciatori Hotel

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Includes: Breakfast and Dinner in hotel daily