Cycling in April: You can't miss these women's races

The month of the big classics is upon us, in the truest sense of the word. There is no Women's WorldTour tour in the whole of April, so all the focus is on the one-day races. There are six of them - all in Belgium, France and the Netherlands. To make sure you don't miss anything, here are the most important races - in chronological order, with a brief check of why they are worth watching.

You must not miss these races

Dwars door Vlaanderen (1 April)

The perfect start to the classics month - and at the same time a real assessment before the Tour of Flanders. Fast, technical, with many moments in which a good position is worth more than a few extra watts. In 2026, the race will be part of the Women's WorldTour for the first time, and the provisional start list is correspondingly high-calibre.

Tour of Flanders (5th April)

A monument - also for the women. This is where the legendary climbs decide who is not only strong, but also masters the battle for position. Paterberg, Oude Kwaremont and the Hellingen drama ensure that the race rarely "sorts itself out" - it is actively ridden.

Paris-Roubaix Femmes (12 April)

Paris-Roubaix is the great cobblestone spectacle. Equipment, riding technique and nerves are just as important here as power. If you hit the sectors well and stay calm, you can make the difference - even against competitors who are stronger on paper.

Amstel Gold Race (19 April)

The Ardennes opener: Hill after hill, hardly any real recovery, a constant battle for position. Amstel is less "a" key moment, but rather a constant sifting - until only the right ones are left. The race is the start of the Ardennes week.

La Flèche Wallonne Femmes (22 April)

The race of the Mur de Huy. A lot of tactics, a lot of waiting, and then this finale: a few minutes of maximum pain in which explosiveness is everything. Hardly any other race shows so clearly who has the best uphill acceleration. Last year, the young Puck Pieterse surprised everyone here. The big names don't automatically have the advantage here.

Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes (26 April)

The conclusion of the Ardennes block - and the biggest Ardennes race because it is long, hard and selective. The winner here is often not the one with the best punch, but the one who remains stable throughout the race. There are plenty of metres in altitude.