Mummu Cycling Blog

2025 Cobbled Classics Pre Release Insider

Written by Mummu Cycling | Aug 27, 2024 12:24:29 AM

Our 2025 Spring Classics Cobbled Classics Tour is an absolute must experience for every avid cycling fan! 

What are the Spring Classics and Monuments?

The Spring Classics are a series of iconic cycling races held from late February to the end of April. Though there isn't a strict definition of what makes a race a "classic," these early-season, one-day events have earned this title by tradition. Mostly taking place in northern Europe, these races, also known as the Spring Classics or the Cobbled Classics, are some of the most significant and eagerly anticipated competitions in cycling.

Most of the Classics, especially those in Belgium and The Netherlands are split into roughly two groups - Cobbled Classics & Ardennes Classics. The difference, apart from geographically of course, is the presence of cobbles. The Flemish races mostly have lots and lots of cobbles, the Ardennes races remove the cobbles and replace them with extra climbs. 

The five most prestigious one-day cycling events, known as the Monuments of Cycling, include Milan-San Remo, the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and the Tour of Lombardy. These races are not only revered for their difficulty and prestige but also for their deep historical roots, as they all originated before World War I. The routes often pass by monuments and memorials commemorating those who lost their lives in the war, further enhancing the historical significance of these legendary courses.

The Spring Classics and Monuments are among the most celebrated one-day events in the cycling calendar. They are steeped in history, have shaped the legends of the sport, and have given rise to some of cycling's most unforgettable moments.

Our 2025 Spring Classics Tour features two iconic Monument races, where you’ll ride the Sportives and experience the thrill of watching the professional races.

Mummu Cycling’s 2025 Spring Classics Cobbled Classics Tour with Stuart O’Grady

Nothing compares to the excitement and thrill of the Spring Classics, and at Mummu Cycling, we're dedicated to making it the trip of a lifetime. Hosted by former Classics specialist Stuart O’Grady, you’ll be in expert hands. As the 2007 Paris-Roubaix winner and a 17-time Tour de France contender, Stuey not only designs and hosts all our tours but also offers invaluable insights on the cobbles of Flanders and the challenging Roubaix pavé. His willingness to share cycling tips and personal experiences is a key part of what makes the Mummu Cycling Spring Classics tour a truly unique experience.

Join us as we immerse ourselves in every moment of the Classics excitement - from conquering the cobbled climbs of Flanders, tackling parts of the three Ardennes Classics (Liège–Bastogne–Liège, La Flèche Wallonne, and the Amstel Gold Race), and finally, to the grand finale, the Queen of the Classics - the Paris-Roubaix.

Feel the race's pulse from prime viewing spots, savour VIP hospitality on the legendary Kwaremont climb, and dive into the electrifying atmosphere inside the iconic Roubaix Velodrome. Ride the same legendary roads as the pros and seize the chance to meet and cycle alongside some of the sport’s most iconic legends. This isn't just an event - it's a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that every cycling enthusiast dreams of!

 
"Fantastic Trip to the Spring Classics. Far exceeded my expectations and whilst you read about the exclusive access, "hosted by Stuart O'Grady to experience that was just a dream come true. Stuart was there with us every day and sharing his stories from inside the peloton. Wonderful professional team that cared for their guests. Highly recommend it."
Don McDonald: 2024 Cobbled Classics w Stuart O'Grady

Tour of Flanders

The Tour of Flanders is undeniably Belgium's most prestigious cycling event. Drawing millions of spectators and generating weeks of anticipation, speculation, and occasional controversy, the race virtually brings the nation to a halt.

As the second of cycling’s five Monuments, "the Ronde," or "Vlaanderens Mooiste" ("Flanders' Most Beautiful"), holds a special place in the hearts of locals, though its allure lies in the punishing cobbles, narrow roads, and often harsh weather. Cyclists regard the Tour of Flanders as the toughest one-day race, demanding a combination of strength, skill, experience, and a bit of luck to succeed.

The race is best known for its gruelling climbs, referred to as “bergs,” a relentless series of short, steep, often cobbled ascents that dominate the latter stages of the course. The route perfectly blends cobbles, climbs, and everything in between into a single, action-packed day.

The race’s climax typically unfolds over two laps (one for the women) of a punishing final circuit featuring the long, cobbled Oude Kwaremont and the steep, cobbled Paterberg, followed by a high-speed dash to the finish in Oudenaarde.

The day before the professionals take on the challenge, you can ride your own Tour of Flanders in the Ronde Van Vlaanderen Cyclo along with 16,000 other cyclists. Choose from four different distances, ranging from 75km to 257km, each offering a hearty dose of the famous Belgian cobblestones. The difficulty of the route can vary significantly with the weather - harsh conditions can make the Tour of Flanders a formidable test, even for seasoned cyclists.

Ride parts of all three of the Ardernnes Classics

The Ardennes Classics consist of three prestigious cycling races held in mid-April: Liège–Bastogne–Liège in the Belgian Ardennes, and La Flèche Wallonne and the Amstel Gold Race in southern Limburg, Netherlands. These races, first held in 1892, 1936, and 1966 respectively, are renowned for their challenging hilly courses. The close scheduling of these events often sees the same top riders vying for victory across all three. Cyclists known as puncheurs - specialists in rolling terrain with short, steep climbs - excel in these races, making the Ardrennes Classics a thrilling spectacle, especially with grand tour contenders on the start line.

The Amstel Gold Race

The Amstel Gold Race is a prestigious one-day road cycling event held in the Limburg province of the Netherlands. It traditionally signals a shift in the spring classics, where climbers and stage racers take centre stage over the cobbled classics specialists. As the youngest of the Classics and the only one based in the Netherlands, the race has a unique place in cycling history. First organized in 1966 with the Dutch brewery Amstel as its title sponsor, a partnership that continues to this day, the race is renowned for its challenging course filled with twists, turns, and steep climbs. The action begins early, with the peloton encountering the first of 33 climbs just 12 kilometers into the race.

You’ll get to ride 80 kilometers of the race route and some of the famous climbs of this race covering over 1000m of climbing including Wolfsberg from Noorbeek, Loorberg, Kruisberg and Eyserbosweg before heading back into Valkenberg.

Liège–Bastogne–Liège

First held in 1892, is the oldest of the five Monuments in the European professional road cycling calendar, traditionally marking the end of the spring classics. While it may not match the length of Milan-Sanremo or the brutal cobblestones of Paris-Roubaix, Liège is considered the toughest climbing challenge, featuring around 4,200 meters of elevation gain.

You'll have the opportunity to ride 66 kilometers of this iconic race route, tackling over 1,000 meters of climbing. Our journey starts in Liège, where we'll ascend the Côte des Forges, the race's most famous climb, the Côte de la Redoute, and Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons before returning to the city.

La Flèche Wallonne

La Flèche Wallonne first took place in 1936. and is still considered one of the most important spring Classics. The race begins in Charleroi and heads east to Huy, where the riders complete three laps of a challenging circuit that includes the steep Mur de Huy climb.

The race spans 129.3 kilometers, with a total elevation gain of 2,045 meters. Of the entire route, 48.2 kilometers are uphill, and there are 22 official climbs with gradients steeper than 15%, peaking at 26% in one part.

You’ll get the chance to ride the Côte d'Ereffe, Côte de Cherave, and the legendary Mur de Huy – not once, but twice!

Paris-Roubaix

Closing out the cobbled classics and the Monuments is Paris-Roubaix, arguably the most iconic one-day race in cycling. Nothing is held on as high a pedestal as Paris-Roubiax. First held in 1896, this northern French race, famously dubbed "The Hell of the North" and “Queen of the classics”, is renowned for its punishing pavé sectors and relentless difficulty. The route features long stretches of northern France’s oldest and most treacherous cobbled farm roads now protected as national landmarks. The race boasts a rich history and has given rise to some of cycling’s most legendary moments.

The race starts quietly with many kilometres of smooth asphalt roads before the infamous cobbled sectors begin. As the cobbles approach, the race accelerates as teams jostle to position their leaders at the front before chaos erupts. What truly elevates Paris-Roubaix to Monument status are the cobbles themselves. The Trouée d'Arenberg, Mons-en-Pévèle, and Carrefour de l'Arbre are among the most feared and celebrated pavé sectors in cycling, offering some of the sport's most thrilling moments. Whether wet or dry, every edition of Paris-Roubaix delivers unforgettable drama.

Both the men’s and women’s races culminate in the legendary Roubaix Velodrome, where one-and-a-half laps around the historic track often decide the winner.

The Paris-Roubaix Challenge gives amateur cyclists the unique opportunity to experience the legendary professional race up close. A few hours before the pro women and the day before the pro men, cyclists from around the world can test their endurance against the infamous Hell of the North and its iconic cobbled sectors. Participants can choose from three challenging routes, ranging from 70km to 170km, all culminating on the finish line at the famous Roubaix Velodrome.

Between race days, our 2025 Spring Classics Tour guides will lead you through segments of the legendary Ardennes Classics routes

"I fully recommend Mummu Cycling to anyone that whats to experience a cycling tour either as a rider or spectator. The professionalism and friendliness shown from the staffing group made this trip very enjoyable and I will have memories that will last a life time. I went on the Spring Classic's Tour 2023 , riding on the iconic roads and climbs , watching the races from some of the best vantage points is something I will never forget. The inside access and meeting the most famous people in cycling history was just surreal.
Thank You to everyone at Mummu Cycling, my next cycling holiday will definitely be with you."
Chris Neate: 2024 Cobbled Classics w Stuart O'Grady

2025 Cobbled Classics Highlights:

  • Hosted by 2007 Paris-Roubaix winner Stuart O’Grady
  • 10 nights premium accommodation including breakfast
  • Ride with the ‘Lion of Flanders’ Johan Museeuw
  • Exclusive VIP Hospitality for the Tour of Flanders on the famous Kwaremont climb
  • Exclusive VIP Hospitality in the Paris-Roubaix Velodrome
  • Sportif entries into Paris Roubaix and Tour of Flanders
  • Fully supported and guided rides with 226ers nutrition
  • Ride parts of the Flèche Wallonne, Amstel Gold Race and Liège-Bastogne-Liège routes
  • Fully supported recon rides for Flanders and Paris Roubaix sportives
  • Visit the famous Paris-Roubaix showers
  • 4 Group Dinners
  • Santini Kit and Scicon Rain Bag

Secure your spot at the 2025 Cobbled Classics Classics with Mummu Cycling by placing a simple, risk-free booking deposit. This will not only guarantee your place on tour, but ensure you receive all prerelease information, including complete trip itineraries and exclusive early bird discounts before they go LIVE on our website and social channels. *All ‘Pre-Release Guarantees’ are fully refundable in the event that you do not wish to commence with a complete booking.

“Had an absolutely brilliant 4 days with the Mummu team for the Paris Roubaix sportive. The sportive was absolutely brilliant but for me what made it so special was the team that looked after us. They were so attentive and made us feel like family! They couldn't do enough for you and would do anything in there power to make our trip amazing. Special shout out to Liam (brilliant organisation), Cedric who for me made my time there and also a big shout out to Stuart O'Grady who was just really friendly and informative and you could see how much he enjoyed watching us having a brilliant time. Very humble guy whos a credit to the team! you would never have known he was a previous professional cyclist who's won the Roubaix. All in all a brilliant trip organised by brilliant staff and I would recommend anyone to book with these.”
- Michael Adamou: 2023 Cobbled Classics with Stuart O'Grady (Roubaix portion)