BROWSE MORE TOURS April | Race Viewing + Pro-Routes | Belgium + Holland
  • 15000-25000 FT
  • 225-350
  • 6 RIDING DAYS
  • 2 RACE DAYS

In the spring of 1966, Eddy Merckx, Felice Gimondi and Jacques Anquetil all claimed victories in the Spring Classics. But it was Herman Krott, a beer salesman for the Amstel brewery, who pulled off the biggest surprise. Krott organized the first edition of the Amstel Gold Race and succeeded in bringing international attention to Dutch cycling with a classic to rival the Five Monuments.

$6000

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

DAYS

Welcome to the spring classics! History and modern design welcome you in the center of Maastricht at the award winning Kruisheren Hotel, a converted church and cloister. The region has hosted the cycling world championships five times, most recently in 2012, and our introductory ride takes us over the race circuit. Soldiers who lost their lives in the area during World War II are memorialized at the American Military Cemetery in Margraten, which we will visit.   Ride: 25 miles Overnight: Maastricht/Hotel Kruisheren

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

DAYS

The Amstel Gold Race was founded in 1966 and is the pride of Dutch cycling. Its main difficulty lies in the 34 climbs over 260 kilometers across 4 circuits. The best way to feel the race is to ride it, and we’ll cover the final circuit and the climbs of the Wolfsberg, Loorberg, Schweiberg, Kruisberg, Eyserbosweg, Fromberg, Keutenberg and the Cauberg. We’ll visit the Amstel Gold Xperience, which celebrates the legacy and history of Holland’s spring classic. Ride: 55 miles Overnight: Maastricht/Hotel Kruisheren

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

DAYS

Today we’re ready for more of the Amstel Gold Race. Inspired by Dutch legends Arie Den Hartog, Jan Raas, Gerrie Knetemann, Jacques Hanegraaf, Joop Zoetemelk and Adri van der Poel, we’ll challenge ourselves on the same roads that crafted these legends as we ride the Amstel Gold Cyclosportif, one of the best amateur events on the calendar. We’ll celebrate tonight at the city’s top wine restaurant, Mes Amis with owner Anneline Doelen.

Ride: 35, 60 or 90 miles Overnight: Maastricht/Hotel Kruisheren

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

DAYS

In 1966, the honor roll of victors in the Spring Classics includes Felice Gimondi, Eddy Merckx and Jacques Anquetil at Paris-Roubaix, Milan-Sanremo and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.  Further down the list, Dutch rider Jan Janssen won Brabantse Pijl.  Herman Krott, a part time racer and beer salesman for the Amstel brewery, created a publicity event for Amstel beer-the Amstel Gold Race. He succeeded at bringing international attention to Dutch cycling with a classic intended to rival the monuments.  Race: Amstel Gold Race Overnight: Maastricht/Hotel Kruisheren

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

DAYS

Crossing into Belgium, the low rolling hills of Limburg are replaced by the forested hills of the Ardennes. Along the way, we’ll stop at the Abbey du Val Dieu, known for its limited release abbey blonde ale, and we’ll trace the Route of Legends Ardennaise, a course tracing the history and sites of the region, including the Grottes de Remouchamp.  Dinner this evening is with legendary Belgian Chef Frederic Caerdinael.  Ride: 45-60 miles Overnight: Durbuy/Hotel Les Sanglier des Ardennes

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

DAYS

Today we ride the midweek semi-classic La Fleche Wallonne, known for its hills, and in particular, the Mur de Huy. The circuit that defines the men’s and women’s races consists of 7 climbs.  First run in 1936, La Fleche used to be run a day before Liege-Bastogne-Liege as part of the La Weekend Ardennais. The Mur de Huy has been the finish for La Fleche Wallonne since 1983 for the men and since 1998 for the women.    Ride: 40-80 miles Overnight: Durbuy/Hotel Les Sanglier des Ardennes

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

DAYS

La Flèche Wallonne was created to boost sales of Les Sports and first ran in 1936. The circuit consists of the Mur de Huy, and the Côtes d’Ereffe, de Bellaire, de Bohissau, de Solières and de Cherave. For the men it’s a proving ground for Liege-Bastogne-Liege; for the women, it’s about difficulty and prestige. Alejandro Valverde has won a record four times and Dutch woman Anna van der Breggen has claimed two in a row.  Ride: 50 miles Race: La Fleche Wallonne Overnight: Durbuy/Hotel Les Sanglier des Ardennes

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

DAYS

Another spring classics season has come to a close, its champions crowned, its legends created. The famed roads of the Amstel Gold Race, La Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege, across Limburg and the Ardennes, have been conquered, brought to life on and off the bike. Your next legend awaits and until then we’ll get you where you need to go today to get home.

LIMBURG LIAISONS

MODERN SERVICE IN HISTORIC SETTINGS

AMSTEL GOLD RACE

CYCLING'S CENTER STAGE IN HOLLAND

It’s fitting a Dutchman holds the record for msot wins in the Amstel Gold Race. Jan Raas won the race 5 times- 4 consecutively- between 1977-1982. such was his success the media began referring to the race as the Amstel Gold Raas. Starting in 1991, the finish was moved to the city of Maastricht, and since 1998 the city has hosted the start.  In 2003, race organizer Leo Van Vliet, a former professional, moved the finish to the top of the Cauberg climb in the town of Valkenburg, which is now climbed four times during the race.  Dutch riders are proud of their race, having won 17 times, with the Belgians claiming 12 victories, including 7 of the first 11 editions and 3 by 2012 World Champion Philippe Gilbert

  • FEATURED TOUR

    Amstel Gold Race Weekend

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  • FEATURED TOUR

    Liege-Bastogne-Liege

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  • FEATURED TOUR

    Amstel Gold Race Weekend

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  • FEATURED TOUR

    Liege-Bastogne-Liege

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FEATURED Article

Maastricht: A Taste For Excellence

Dutchman Michael Boogerd has probably never seen a fleck of broken glass that hasn’t triggered a nightmare of memories from a cold, wet, October day 14 years ago. Four kilometers…

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  • FEATURED Article

    Front and Center: Women's La Fleche Wallonne

    FEATURED Article

    Front and Center: Women's La Fleche Wallonne

    The Ardennes Classics are defined by one thing- hills. Short and steep, long and shallow, narrow roads, wide roads, through forests, fields and urban centers.  Unlike its predecessors in Flanders and northern France in the first half of April, the…

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  • FEATURED Article

    The Jekyll and Hyde of Belgian Cycling

    FEATURED Article

    The Jekyll and Hyde of Belgian Cycling

    Ralph Waldo Emerson said never lose an opportunity to see anything that is beautiful. There is a moment of great anticipation that cradles the beauty of La Flèche Wallonne just before the first riders break the horizon 100 meters from…

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"YOUR PREPARATION IS VERY IMPRESSIVE!"

“Chris and I had a fantastic time with you, Lisa and the entire Velo Classic crew during our week at the Classics. The riding, accommodations, food and wine and race spectating were unforgettable! Your logistics and scheduling are beyond meticulous and your preparation is very impressive, with making it all look so easy and run so smooth.  You would make a great Marine! We can’t thank you enough and look forward to our next trip with Velo Classic.”

MICHAEL BENNETT RETIRED LT. CO. U.S. MARINE CORPS, PASO ROBLES, CA

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