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Riders power to the finish line. (Photo by Jeff PACHOUD / AFP)
The Spring Classics are a series of professional one-day cycling races held throughout Western Europe in March and April and are some of the oldest races in the history of cycling, with some races dating back to the 19th century. While the Spring Classics stand as valued professional races in their own right, they also serve as preparation for the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France races that follow.
The Spring Classic seasons begins in Italy with the Milan-San Remo, usually held on the first Sunday in Spring. The majority of the Spring Classics are raced in Belgium including the Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders), La Fleche Wallonne, E3 Harelbeke with the Liège–Bastogne–Liège concluding the Spring Classics season. France’s Paris–Roubaix (Hell of the North) and The Netherlands’ Amstel Gold Race make up the other Spring Classic races.
Four of these races – Milan-San Remo, Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix and Liege-Bastogne-Liege – in addition with the Giro di Lombardia, held in October, make up the ‘Five Monuments’. The Five Monuments are the most historic and prestigious of the Spring Classics. Only three riders – Roger De Vlaeminck, Rik Van Looy and Eddy Merckx – have won all five ‘Monument’ races.
