Are you ready to rumble in 2020?
Britain’s Cycle Classics Series has cobbled together the excitement and challenge of Paris-Roubaix, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Tour of Flanders and Strade Bianche in a “classic” gran fondo series.
With five gran fondos from May – September defined by intimidating road surfaces including The Tour of the Black Country’s gravel and cobbled sectors reminiscent of Paris-Roubaix, steep Flandrian-like cobbled bergs of The Cheshire Cobbled Classic, and the strade bianche of The White Roads Classic, this series will leave gran fondo riders grinning, tired and completely dusted, just like the Pros.
Inspired by Paris-Roubaix, on Sunday May 31the 110km Tour of the Black Country takes fondo riders over 15km of cobbled roads, stony farm tracks and worn horse paths before finishing on the outdoor velodrome at Aldersley.
Cheshire Cobbled Classic is next on June 14 with its twelve cobbled sectors, including five cobbled climbs that exceed 20% in gradient. Just like Tour of Flanders, this one separates the “Hardmen” and “Hardwomen” from the rest of the peloton.
July serves up two classics, The Bournville Hilly Classic featuring sixteen painful climbs of 8-17% and The White Roads Classic. Based on the Italian Strade Bianche professional race, The White Roads Classic offers eighteen white gravel sectors and 30km of chalk roads for you to ride like Fabian Cancellara en route to a fourth Strade Bianche victory in Tuscany.
Liverpool Roubaix in September offers another classic 110km Paris-Roubaix style course featuring ten unpaved cobbled sectors and an exciting velodrome finish in Knowsley.
Inspired by classic and storied European professional races known the world over, this Cycle Classic Series over old, battered unpaved roads and up short steep climbs provides a wonderful opportunity for everyday amateurs to ride like a professional classics rider for a day – or five.
GRAN FONDO DAILY NEWS 