Paris-Roubaix-Challenge
Participants in the Paris-Roubaix Challenge need to be able to endure a great deal of suffering. The rough cobblestone passages on the original route of the "Hell of the North" are an unforgettable ordeal for everyone. There is no timekeeping and no fixed start times for the amateur event on the day before the professional race, which is why participants of all abilities can be found on the route at any time. The only thing you should be aware of is the opening times of the finish in the velodrome, otherwise you will miss the highlight of the event. If you want to compete with others at a high level, you can start the longest route in Bussigny at the beginning of the start window at 6.45 am. If you want to try it out first, the 70-kilometre variant with start and finish in Roubaix is an uncomplicated introduction to this experience.
TOUR editor Jens Klötzer
"The best comes at the end: the lap of honour in the velodrome with the medal ceremony and a Belgian beer at the finish - all the pain is instantly forgotten!"
Date 7 April
Routes 70, 145, 172 kilometres
Costs from 27 Euro
Info www.parisroubaixchallenge.com
Liège-Bastogne-Liège-Challenge
The Liège-Bastogne-Liège professional race is considered the toughest spring classic - at least in terms of topography. The eternal ups and downs lead through deeply carved river valleys and then up to the wooded mountain ranges, usually steeply up the Côte de Stockeu, Côte de la Redoute, Côte Roche-aux-Faucons and Côte de Saint-Nicolas (the last three will be timed in 2018). For the professionals, the race distance of "La Doyenne" measures around 250 kilometres with a good 4,000 metres of climbing - not including the neutralised phase. For amateur athletes, it is even longer due to the run-up through the city of Liège. The 2014 test ride covered around 280 kilometres with 4,200 metres of ascent. If this is too much for you, the organisers also offer shorter routes - including (on the 2014 test ride) rather sparsely equipped refreshment stations. Unfortunately, the route is not closed to traffic. It is not a perfectly organised event - at the Challenge in the Ardennes, the long route is the challenge and the goal.
TOUR editor Andreas Kublik
"The ride over the steep Côte de la Redoute is an experience - your strength is already waning here, but there are plenty of spectators to keep you going."
Date 21 April
Routes 75, 153, 273 kilometres
Costs from 30 Euro
Info www.sport.be/lblcyclo
Paris-Roubaix-Cyclo
Paris-Roubaix is known as the "Queen of the Classics". Since 2012, the organisers of the professional race have also been offering an amateur version: the Paris-Roubaix Challenge (see also page 32). For those who find the hustle and bustle too much and the starting place too expensive, there is a quieter and cheaper option. Every two years, the Véloclub Roubaix organises a touring ride on the original route of the classic: the Paris-Roubaix-Cyclo. It's happening again on 10 June 2018. The undisputed highlights will be the 2.4-kilometre-long section through the Arenberg forest and the never-ending sector in front of the Carrefour de l'Arbre inn. And, of course, the finale: the entrance to the legendary Vélodrom in Roubaix, with a final lap of honour.
TOUR editor Manuel Jekel
"Unlike the Paris-Roubaix-Challenge, participants in the Tour de Roubaix are allowed to use the legendary showers in the catacombs of the Roubaix cycling stadium."
Date 10 June
Routes 70, 120, 210 kilometres
Costs from 5 Euro
Info www.vc-roubaix-cyclo.fr
