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United States
Ardennes Classics Tour - Amstel Gold, LBL and Fleche Wallone 2024
10 Nights
See our flexible bookings payment plans. View Details.
Why Book This Trip?
As April approaches the cycling calendar fills with professional races throughout Northern France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The Ardennes region of Belgium and the Netherlands play host to the Ardennes Classics, a series of one-day professional road cycling races that include:
Amstel Gold Race: Typically held in early April, Amstel Gold Race 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 plays a decisive role in determining the winner.
La Flèche Wallonne: La Flèche Wallonne follows in late April and is known for its challenging route in the Wallonia region of Belgium. The race includes several climbs, including the famous Mur de Huy, a short but incredibly steep climb that riders must tackle multiple times during the race. It is always an exciting finale!
Liège-Bastogne-Liège: The oldest of the Ardennes Classics, and fondly knows as “La Doyenne” (The Old Lady), Liège-Bastogne-Liège is usually held in late April. It is a long, demanding race with numerous climbs, including the iconic Côte de la Redoute and the Côte de Saint-Nicolas. The race starts and finishes in the city of Liège.
These races are part of the UCI World Tour calendar and attract top professional cyclists. 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 favorite roads for an unforgettable experience. Cyclists and non-cyclists will be well-looked after with activities that appeal to both.
Spread your payments: Our interest-free payment plan allows you to spread out payments for your booking.
Ride Two Sportives: Start with Amstel Gold and finish with the Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Distance options are available, and transport is included for the long distance. Guided rides are included throughout to challenge and entertain riders.
Watch 3 Classics: Watch Amstel Gold, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Fleche Wallone.
Fully supported tour: Our team of local hosts, drivers and mechanics look after you and your bike, providing transportation and support on guided rides. Cycling breaks include a brewery tour, museum visits and a trip to the Shimano experience center. Bike rental is available at additional cost.
Cycling related activities: Finish hospitality on the Mur de Huy for Fleche Wallone and finish line hospitality in Liege.
Well-located 4-star hotels: Stay in Valkenburg for Amstel Gold and Fleche Wallone before moving to Liege. Breakfasts are included throughout as are dinners in Liege.
What's Included?
Accommodation
5 nights in 4* Hotel Voncken in Valkenburg
Accommodation
5 nights in 4* hotel Penta in Liege
Transfers
Return transfers from Brussels Airport at set times. Private transfers available at additional cost
Included Meals
All breakfasts (plus evening meals in Liege). Budget $15/pp for lunch
Guided Rides
Fully supported rides
Mechanic
Expert mechanic on hand
Entries and Hospitality
Entry for the Amstel Gold Sportive and LBL are included as well as finish hospitality on the Mur de Huy and at the finish in Liege
Sightseeing
Visit to Belgian/Dutch brewery, trip to Shimano experience center and explore the city of Valkenburg & Liege
Additional Extra - Bike Rental
Bike Rental (various options) available. Prices (TBC)
Itinerary
Day to day
Please make your own arrangements to arrive at our hotel in Valkenburg today. If you plan to fly, an airport transfer from Brussels airport (BRU) is available at 11:00 AM. Private airport transfers from Brussels can be arranged at additional cost. Contact us for details
You can bring your own bike as bike boxes are accommodated on our airport transfers. Alternatively, you can rent a bike from us for the tour. Our mechanic will be available this afternoon at the hotel to “fit” your rental bike or to assist you with building your bike after travel. Bikes are safely stored at the hotel. This afternoon, enjoy a short, guided spin to see parts of the Amstel Gold race route.
The evening is free for you to enjoy dinner in Valkenburg.
Today you will ride the Amstel gold sportive:
Included with the Amstel Gold Race Sportive entry
- Guaranteed entry and choice of distance in the Tour version Amstel Gold Race (Sportive)
- Breakfast at the VIP-pavilion
- Reserved parking near the VIP-pavilion
- Secure bike parking
- Special shower and changing facilities
- Photo with the ‘flower girls’
- Post-sportive ride buffet
- Unique gift
Breakfast today is at the VIP pavilion. Secure bike staging and changing facilities are provided before the race.
Start times:
- 6:30 AM – 9.00 AM: Start 150 miles (orange arrows)
- 6:30 AM – 9.00 AM: Start 125 miles (pink arrows)
- 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Start 93 miles (red arrows)
- 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Start 78 miles (yellow arrows)
- 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Start 62 miles (blue arrows)
- 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Start 40 miles (black arrows)
Anticipated program
- From 7:00 AM breakfast is available in private start area in Valkenburg near the start
- 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM Start Amstel Gold Race
- 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM Pasta buffet in private area at the finish
VIP Parking area
For those driving, parking passes are available to the VIP parking area next to the start and finish in Valkenburg.
Location:
The VIP pavilion is in the finish village. The area is well-marked.
After the finish we will return to our hotel.
The evening is free for you to eat out in Valkenburg.
After breakfast we will spend the day in Valkenburg where we will be in a great position to see several passages of the riders.
If you’d like to make today extra special, we offer a variety of VIP and Hospitality experiences – More information here.
After breakfast we will head out on a guided ride. Exact route to be confirmed.
In the afternoon we will visit the Shimano experience center, sponsored by Canyon. There are six areas to explore and different cycling simulators for road and for MTB for you to experience. Enjoy refreshments in the cafe.
In the evening you are free to eat out in Valkenburg.
Enjoy a guided ride today. Route to be confirmed.
In the afternoon we will visit the Medieval city of Maastricht where you will have time to explore and take in the sights.
This morning we will check out of our hotel and travel to Huy.
Today, the men’s and women’s editions of the Flèche Wallonne will welcome the biggest stars in cycling. They will battle it out in this exhausting and explosive event. The Walloon Classic, is a highlight of the cycling season and a race reserved for the ‘puncheurs’ and ‘puncheuses’. Featuring the infamous Mur de Huy, this race promises to entertain.
The Mur de Huy has long been the steepest climb on the women’s calendar, one that allows hill-climbing and sprinting specialists to challenge each other on a climb that can suit both types of riders.
Both races promise an intense battle between the best climbers, male and female, capable of swallowing double-digit percentages.
Our Hospitality area is positioned at the finish atop the famous Mur de Huy which features percentages of more than 15 % with sections rising to 26%.
La Fleche Wallonne – Finish Hospitality
At the hospitality venue, you will enjoy 2 passes of the women’s race and 3 passes of the men’s race.
Included with your hospitality experience:
- Enjoy catering and open bar at the finish on the Mur de Huy
- Watch the race LIVE on TV screens at the hospitality venue
- Access ticket to the VIP area located on top of the Mur de Huy
- Elevated view on the finish line
- Champagne served at the arrival of the riders
After enjoying our VIP hospitality, we will make our way to Liege for dinner at our hotel.
This morning, join us for a 37 mile guided ride around Liege that takes in some of the LBL route. Explore Liege on your own this afternoon.
Dinner at hotel.
After breakfast we will tour a nearby brewery and sample local beer.
Our tour leaders and bike mechanics are available after lunch and in the early evening. Enjoy the hotel facilities this afternoon and explore the food offerings of Liege for lunch. Moules Frites anyone?
Dinner at hotel.
Race Briefing
This evening our bike guides will brief the group on race day logistics, strategies and the LBL Challenge route.
Dinner at the hotel.
Today is the day! We have an early start this morning. Early breakfast is arranged in the hotel restaurant.
Getting to the start
The start and finish of the Sportives are in Sprimont about 18 miles from Liege. Rolling starts begin at 6:30 AM and transportation to the start is provided for all bikes and riders. Our staff will be on hand for any last-minute mechanical issues.
The challenge operates rolling start times rather than a mass start so you can start between the listed times below.
Start Times
- 6:30 AM – 7:30 AM: 160 mile route
- 6:30 AM – 9:30 AM: 90 mile route
- 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM: 45 mile route
The finish line closes at 8:00 PM.
Post Ride
After your ride, we will meet around 5:00 PM for a celebratory drink at your hotel before having dinner together.
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and spend the day in Liege with finish hospitality included.
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.
Liège-Bastogne-Liège is the 4th Monument of the season and marks the end of the Ardennes Classics period. Next on the calendar for many riders is the Giro d’Italia.
Finish Hospitality
Enjoy catering and open bar at the finish area at Quai des Ardennes in Liege. Watch the race LIVE on TV screens and see the finish from the elevated viewing area. Champagne is served as the riders arrive.
Dinner at the hotel
A transfer to Brussels Airport (BRU) is available at 9:00 AM for flights departing after 1:00 PM.
Additional transfers are available to book at additional cost. Please contact us for details.
More About the Event
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 situated snuggly between Belgium and Germany. At its southernmost point is the town of Vaals, only 12 miles away from Valkenburg and just 3 miles 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 is a popular destination. A viewing tower at its peak offers an impressive view of 3 countries: Belgium, Germany, and Holland.
Airports:
Brussels Airport (BRU) 75 miles
Train station:
Houthem St. Gerlach 0.5miles / Maastricht 6 miles
Liege
Liege offers complementary parking areas around the city with easy access to the city center using public transport. Simply park and 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
The easiest and fastest way to travel by train from the UK to Belgium is to include the Eurostar train from London to Brussels (tickets price from $40 – 2:15 hours).
You can travel between the Liège-Guillemins train station (Guillemins district, Boverie Park) to Liège-Saint-Lambert train station in the city center. Trains run approximately every 12 minutes. More information
Nearest airport
- Liège Airport (7 miles)
- Brussels airport (58 miles)
Electric scooters
Electric scooters are easy to use and an efficient way to get around town quickly! In Liège they are available almost everywhere. More information about electric scooters in Liege
BOOK NOW
Sportive Breaks are part of the Destination Sport Experiences Group. When clicking on the booking link below, you will be taken to the Destination Sport Experiences booking engine. If you have any questions, please do contact our team [email protected]
You are in safe hands
We have a team of highly experienced professionals who have been organizing cycling trips for more than 25 years.
Plenty to choose from
We offer the largest selection of European Gran Fondo and Cyclo-Sportive events.
Spread your payments
Our interest-free payment plan allows you to spread out payments for your booking. *Selected products. Terms and Conditions apply.
Logistics covered
We know the routes and we know the roads. We know how the event works and the best hotels for the start and finish. We organize everything for you: transfers, bike transport, additional fuel stops, local guides, mechanical support and more.
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