Let's go! From 20 March 2021, the professional cyclists will start the hot phase of the spring classics with the Milan-San Remo race. There is a highlight on the race calendar almost every week. Please note: Due to the pandemic situation, the organisers ask that you do not come to the course as a spectator!
All dates at a glance
20 March 2021
112th Milan-San Remo (ITA), 299 km
La Primavera, as the first big one-day race of the spring in Italy is called, is the longest in professional cycling. Who wins the race? A racer with a daring attack on the final Poggio climb or a sprinter who prevails on the finishing straight in Via Roma in San Remo? There is a change to the route this year: due to a landslide, the route from Milan does not go over the Turchino Pass to the Mediterranean, but over the 516 metre high Colle del Giovo. However, the length and characteristics of the route will only change slightly as a result.
TV: Eurosport 1
4 April 2021
105th Tour of Flanders (BEL), 254.3 km
The Tour of Flanders is characterised above all by a series of 16 steep, mostly cobbled stretches, the so-called Hellingen. For years, the wall of Geraardsbergen was considered a key section - but it has since been removed from the course. Belgium's most important cycling event, otherwise a huge public festival, is to take place without spectators along the route this year.
TV: Eurosport 1
11 April 2021
118th Paris-Roubaix (FRA), 259 km
The ride through the Hell of the North, over more than 50 kilometres of cobblestones that are almost impossible to ride on racing bike tyres, is rightly regarded as the toughest classic. With the finale in the Roubaix cycling stadium.
TV: Eurosport 1
18 April 2021
55th Amstel Gold Race (NED)
It is the most important cycling event in the Netherlands: Wind and a total of 35 climbs in the hilliest region of the Netherlands characterise the race. In total, the pros have to ride over 35 stitches in the province of Limburg - normally! Due to the pandemic, this year's race will be held on a tight circuit of around 17 kilometres.
TV: no info
25 April 2021
107th Liège-Bastogne-Liège (BEL), 259.5 km
La Doyenne is the oldest of today's classics. The race was first held in 1892. It is the classic with the most metres in altitude - there are more than 4,000 on the approximately 260 kilometres through the Ardennes - there are a total of eleven named climbs. The finish is in the centre of Liège. New: the Cote de Desnié.
TV: Eurosport 1
The dates for the women at a glance:
At the following events, the women compete on the same day before the men on parts of the traditional classic routes. All competitions are part of the most important Women's World Tour race series
4 April: 18th Tour of Flanders, 152.4 km
For the 18th time, Belgium's big road festival will also be held for women - this year probably with a poor atmosphere and no spectators. The women do not ride over the infamous Koppenberg and only once - in the final - over the combination of Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg.
TV: Eurosport 1
11 April: 1st Paris-Roubaix (FRA), distance: not yet specified
It would be the premiere of the Paris-Roubaix race for women - it was supposed to take place last October, but was cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic.
TV: Eurosport 2
18 April: 7th Amstel Gold Race (NED), distance: not yet specified
The home match for the outstanding Dutch female cyclists: What can the opponents do against Marianne Vos, Annemiek van Vleuten, Anna van der Breggen and Chantal van den Broeck-Blaak? Like the men's race this year, the race will be held on a small circuit.
TV: not specified
21 April: 24th Flèche Wallonne (BEL), 126.5 km
In the men's category, the "Walloon Arrow" is only a semi-classic - the race, which always takes place on a Wednesday, is significantly shorter for men than the major classics. For women, the race on the edge of the Ardennes with the finish on the wall of Huy is the most traditional race that takes place as part of an important men's race.
TV: Eurosport 1
25 April: 5th Liège-Bastogne-Liège (BEL), 141 km
The topographically most difficult one-day race for women. The route is the same as the men's at the end of the last six climbs - the finish is in the centre of Liège. As in the men's race, the Cote de Desnié is a new addition to the women's course.
TV: Eurosport 1
