TL;DR Summary: What are the Spring Classics?

• The Spring Classics are a collection of one-day races taking place in Europe in the springtime. Except for Il Lombardia, which closes the season in October.
• The most important 5 are called 'The Monuments'. The men's monuments are over 100 years old, over 260km in length, and generally considered the hardest and most exciting races on the calendar. 
• Almost all of the Classics have a corresponding women's race. We're looking at you, Il Lombardia and E3 Saxo. Get your shit together. 
• The racing format is simple, and the parcours are insanely difficult. All-out racing and thousands of fans along the route make for an electric atmosphere.

Can you feel it in the air? The snow has melted, the wind is slightly less biting. The sun is rising before 8am, and it's getting ever so slightly warmer. It can mean only one thing - the Spring Classics are coming. 

Venerated above (almost) all other bike races, especially in Northern Europe, the Classics are a couple of months of pure pleasure for bike fans. 

But what are the Spring Classics exactly? Why does the cycling world go gaga for cold, wet, often muddy races in the coldest, wettest, muddiest parts of Northern Europe?

Want to know you're Omloop Het Nieuwsblad from your Amstel Gold Race? Why 'Holy Week' is the most important week of the year, or why impossibly steep cobbled climbs just have to be accompanied by impossibly strong beer?

Our beginner's guide to the Classics will give you all the background you need, and plenty of pearls of wisdom to drop on your next group ride.

Ok. So what are the 'Spring Classics'?

In a nutshell, the Spring Classics, or sometimes Spring Classics, are a collection of one-day bike races that take place in Northern Europe (mostly Belgium) between late Feb and the end of April. 

They are also hard. Very hard. Usually well over 250km for the men and 130km for the women, and always including savage cobbles/climbs/dirt/more climbs/more cobbles (delete as appropriate, but the best ones contain all of the above).

They are one-day races, meaning the only thing that counts is what happens between the start flag and the finish line on that day. There is no prize for mutli-day consistency, just for where you cross the line at the end of the day.

This means the racing is always exciting. Anyone can win, and riders often put everything on the line to try and do so.

There is no tomorrow for these men and women, so we are treated to the best out-and-out racing of the season. Not 20 days of mostly boring riding, at the end of which someone called Tadej or Demi wins.

Are there different types of Spring Classic?

Yes. No. Maybe. Hang on... There's a huge amount of debate about what is and isn't a Classic. There are Cobbled Classics, Ardennes Classics, and Semi-Classics. There are summer Classics, autumn Classics - it's a bit complicated.

Generally, the Classics are split into roughly two groups - Cobbled Classics & Ardennes Classics.

Cobbled Classics:

• Fairly obviously, Cobbled Classics involve riding over cobbles. Many cobbles
• They are held in Flanders (cobbles + hills) or Northern France (flat but rougher cobbles)
• The Tour of Flanders & Paris Roubaix are the most important Cobbled Classics
• They come first in the calendar, when it's especially cold and wet
  

Ardennes Classics:

• The Ardennes races remove the cobbles and replace them with the longer, sometimes steeper climbs
• They mostly take place in the Ardennes (South East Belgium). I include Amstel Gold in this category, mostly for ease
• Liege-Bastogne-Liege is the ultimate Ardennes Classic, and the oldest of all
• Held after the Cobbled Classics, at the end of April, when it's slightly less cold and wet

Whether you prefer Cobbled or Ardennes Classics says a lot about your outlook on life.  But is there a heirarchy of importance? Of course there is:

Full Classics:

• The Monuments (see below). The oldest and hardest. Definitely full Classics.
• Amstel Gold and Strade Bianchi. Some call these semi-classics. To me, they're bona fide full-fat classics, based on the strength of the racing alone (see MdVP in 2019?)

Semi-Classics:

• Every other one-day race that takes place from the end of Feb to the end of April
• I'd list ones to look out for, but they're all great. Watch them all.

In all honesty, defining a Classic isn't that important; watching and enjoying them is. And if you prefer Scheldeprijs to Paris-Roubaix, then you do you.

How did the Spring Classics start?

As with most things in cycling, they were created to sell newspapers.

To add to the prestige, many had the good sense to be created in the 19th Century, making them even more awesome. 

Most have only ever been postponed because of a couple of inconvenient wars taking place near the route. Well, wars and a small worldwide pandemic. 

This means we're now well into the 100th editions of many, giving fans and commentators loads to talk about.

These races are the epitome of 'cycling legend', making people who are into such things go all misty-eyed.

From the first winner of Liege Bastogne Liege in 1892 (Léon Houa) through the Merckx years, Boonen vs Cancellara, van der Breggen vs van Vleuten, and now MvdP vs Wout vs Pogačar AND SD Worx vs everyone else. The Classics have grown and grown in size, scope and popularity.

What are 'The Monuments' and why are they important?

The safest bet is to focus on the five monuments. These are the oldest, the biggest and the most lauded of all cycling races, and to many (me) they are more important than all the Grand Tours put together. 

Milano-San Remo - 298km (men)/156km (women) 21st March 2026

The first and longest Monument, and arguably the most boring. MSR only really gets going in the last 30km as the riders hit the Cipressa & Poggio. But what a finish, especially in this era. Break away? Small group sprint? Don't miss the end of Milan San Remo.

• Nickname: La Prima Vera (spring)
• Pros: Good/tense finish, lots of lovely Italian coastal scenery. Women's race restarted in 2025
• Cons: Pretty mundane for 95% of the race
• 2025 women's winner: Lorena Wiebes broke Italian hearts in a small bunch sprint
• 2025 men's winner: Men: Mathieu Van der Pol, after a cagey sprint against Pogačar and Ganna
• 2026 prediction women:  Little data to play with now, but bet on Wiebes/SD Worx to make it 2 in a row.
• 2026 prediction men: MvdP is in fine form, but Pog wants this one badly. Could go either way.

Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders) - 260km/164km, 5th April 2026

The pinnacle of the spring season, in my honest opinion. It brings Belgium to a standstill.  The perfect mix of cobbles, climbs, and everything in between. You have to be a complete rider to win de Ronde.

• Nickname: Vlaanderens Mooiste (Flanders' finest)
• Pros: The best (hardest) collection of the 'Hellingen' (cobbled climbs). The women's race has an equal prize purse.
• Cons: There aren't any. Some people (wrongly) think Roubaix is better.
• 2025 women's winner: Lotte Kopecky, resplendent all in white, took her 3rd Ronde in a small bunch sprint.
• 2025 men's winner: Tadej Pogačar dropped everyone on the Kwaremont (again)
• 2026 prediction women: Belgium's own Lotte will make it 4, but she'll be pushed
• 2026 prediction men: Tadej Pogačar will drop everyone on the Kwaremont (again)
  
  

Paris-Roubaix - 260km/148.5km, 12th April 2026

La Reine, Hell of the North... nothing is held on a higher pedestal than Roubiax. Having ridden (survived) the Trouée d'Arenberg, Mons-en-Pévèle, and Carrefour de l'Arbre, albeit pretty slowly, I can see why.

Win a cobblestone (the prize trophy), and you'll never have to buy another beer again. One week after Flanders, the aforementioned 'Holy Week' Roubaix is the only French Classic. But boy, is it a biggie.

• Nickname: Hell of the North or La Reine 
• Pros: It is 'quite' hard. The element of (bad) luck/weather is always entertaining, and the famous finish in the Roubaix velodrome is iconic.
• Cons: Again, no notes; now there is an awesome women's race. Maybe... It's not Flanders??
• 2025 women's winner: Pauline Ferrand-Prévot ended the French drought with a wonderful solo win. Even better, she went on to show that not only Pog can win a Monument and the Tour de France in the same season.
• 2025 men's winner: Mathieu van der Pol made it 3 cobbles with a fine solo win.
• 2026 prediction women: The head says MvdP, but the heart screams Pogačar.
• 2026 prediction men: I'd love to see PFP show how complete a rider she is with another win, but I think SD Worx will make it very difficult. 

If you want to understand why Paris-Roubaix is held in such high esteem, you have to go back to the 60s and 70s. A Sunday in Hell is a great place to start.

Liege Bastogne Liege - 260km/156km, 26th April 2026

La Doyenne. The first ever Classic has 4000+ metres of climbing. Yes, you read that right.

That's a hell of a lot of up for a 'flat' little country like Belgium. The final Ardennes Classic sees the pure climbers come to the fore to complete the spring season.

The way the climbs fall in the second half of the route can only be described as attempted murder. The women's route is equally hard, just a bit shorter. It's hell to ride, but heaven to watch. 

• Nickname: La Doyenne (The Old Lady)
• Pros: Seriously tough climbs, one after another. Not cobbled, but that allows more 'pure' climbers to shine. The Ardennes region of Belgium is beautiful.
• Cons: No cobbles? Nah, it's pretty great. 
• 2025 winner women: Kim Le Court surprised Demi Vollering with a dominant sprint victory.
• 2025 winner men: Tadej Pogačar played with his food again, riding away seated on La Redoute.
• 2026 prediction women: Full rider list isn't out yet, but expect an intense battle and perhaps another surprising outcome
• 2026 prediction men: Probably not a surprising outcome. You can bet your life that Tadej will nonchalantly ride away again whenever he feels like it.

Il Lombardia - 255km, 10th Oct 2026

The only Spring Classic not held in spring. Italy's second Monument unofficially closes the season. A beautiful race, the brutal climbs juxtapose the gorgeous scenery around Lake Como.

Seriously let down by the continued lack of a women's race - how they can justify this is beyond anyone. Also, there are major safety concerns after many issues over the years.

• Nickname: The Race of the Falling Leaves (not spring, get it?)
• Pros: Stunning and savage in equal measure. Desperate riders will go hell for leather to get one last result. 
• Cons: No women's race (C'mon, Italy). Cars all over the course (C'mon, Italy).
• 2025 men's winner: You know the script by now. Tadej Pogačar danced away from everyone like they were cat 4 racers at Hillingdon on a Tuesday night.
• 2026 prediction men: It's so far away, it's probably too early to Pogačar. Why fight it? Pogačar will win after an absurdly long distance solo attack.

Special Mention: Strade Bianche - 201km/131km, 7th March 2026

Too 'new' to be considered a monument, the white roads classic is a seriously special race. 60km of gravel sections and that uphill finish in Siena's illustrious Piazza del Campo. 

It also has an epic women's equivalent. If it were up to me, I would replace MSR with Strade Bianche. I really would.

Alright, maybe just make it the 6th Monument, but if there can be only five...

Cycling Classics Frequently Asked Questions:

How many cycling Classics races are there?

Depending on how strict you are, there are between 8 and 18 Classics and Semi-Classics. 

As well as the ones mentioned above, there are races on a Tuesday and on a Friday, because who cares about work during the Classics season? E3, Ghent Wevelgem, La Flèche Wallonne... all are worth your time. 

Are there Women's cycling Classics? 

Yes, there are women's Cycling classics, barring a few notable exceptions. 

Mostly held on shortened versions of the same courses on the same day. The women's Classics show that female pro racers can not only handle the same cobbles and hills, but that women's cycling is just as exciting as men's.

Talking about equality in cycling is difficult, mostly because there isn't any. There is such a long way to go to make women's pro racing equal to men's it is laughable, but it is a small consolation that there are women's Classics races. 

How can you support women's Spring Classics races? 

Watch the women's TV coverage. Interact with the races, riders, and journalists on social media. Be a true cycling fan by giving as much attention to women's racing as men's. But mainly watch the racing, TV viewership is the metric that will move the needle the most.

Travelling to the races to see them live is vital to growing and improving women's racing. You'll also be blown away by the atmosphere. 

Is there a women's Paris-Roubaix race?

You betcha. And what a race it is. Since the first edition in 2021, when Brit Lizzie Deignan sauntered off the front in horrible conditions, we've been treated to bunch sprints and solo victories.

No doubt the 2026 women's Paris-Roubaix will be just as explosive. With a field full of potential winners, tuning in to the action on TV is a must. 

Is the weather important in the Spring Classics?

The external factor that always plays a part in some or all of the races is the unpredictable Northern European weather. 

Barring a few editions, however, the images of mud-soaked Classics riders are getting fewer and farther between. These days, we're more likely to get 'the fastest edition yet' than a good old wet Roubaix. Because climate change.

Can I ride a Spring Classic Route?

Yes, you absolutely can. Every Monument and most of the Semi-Classics now have an accessible cyclo sportive for fans to ride. And they are wonderful days out on the bike.

There are multiple route lengths for different ability levels. And they are usually the same weekend as the pro race, so you can ride the route and then watch your cycling heroes show you how it's supposed to be done.

Many travel operators offer weekend packages, taking care of all the organisation for you. You just have to turn up and ride. 

Having ridden 3 of the Monument cyclos and plenty of the Semi-Classic routes, I can highly recommend any of the cyclos. Pick your favourite and make a (dirty) weekend out of it.

How can I watch The Spring Classics on TV?

If you're in the UK, then the only option is TNT Sports. It's expensive, but if you want all the racing with English commentary, this is the link for you.

Subscription is about £30 per month, which gets you access to plenty of other sports too. 

If you're in the USA, check out Peacock, HBO Max, or FloBikes.

They each have their own subscriptions and access options, so shop around before you buy.

Can I watch The Spring Classics on TV for free?

If you don't want to pay, then I would recommend signing up to Nord VPN and selecting a European country like Belgium or France.  You can then watch the racing live and for free on Sporza.be or France.tv or other providers.

Dutch/French commentary accompanies a strong Belgian beer perfectly.

Spring Classics Glossary of Terms:

Pavé - cobbles, but if you want to sound fancy.
Hellingen - the range of spiky, mostly cobbled hills in Flanders (also known as the Flemish Ardennes)
The Ardennes - the actual Ardennes. The lush green hilly area in Wallonia (southern Belgium) 
Belgian toothpaste - the mud, spit, blood, vomit (other) that amasses on a rider's face during the race
Puncheur - a Classics specialist: a rider who can sprint, climb and is as tough as 10-year-old SPD cleats.  
Muur/Mur - Flemish/French for wall. Like the Muur van Geraardsbergen or the Mur de Huy. Very unpleasant climbs that appear on many of the best races.
'Berg - hill, but it sounds cooler. Like the Koppenberg, Paterberg.

Further Cycling Classics reading/watching

If you want to learn more about the Classics, you've got so much great material ahead of you.

From beautiful hardback books that adorn your coffee table to free YouTube films and races to watch, there really is a lot to get through. Lucky you.

Here are some of my favourites:

A Sunday in Hell (film) - The best cycling film you will ever find. Focusing on the 1976 Paris-Roubaix, it's for many still the golden era of cycling.

A Sunday In Hell (book) - William Fotherington at his best, describing the race, film and background of the 1976 Paris-Roubaix.

Rapha's 'Pick of the Classics' - Some of Rapha's favourite Classics races through the years, including links to watch each race on YouTube.

1991 Motorola Classics Team - A look behind the scenes of the '91 Classics season from the viewpoint of one of the big teams.

The Ronde - Inside The World's Toughest Bike Race - Everything you need to know about the best race on earth.

Rapha Films Presents | Queens of the Classic - A great short film from EF Education First, following British racer Zoe Bäckstedt ahead of the 2023 Paris-Roubaix.

The Spring Classics: Cycling's Greatest One-Day Races. All the best stories from all the best races, all in one place. Lovely photographs too.

De Ronde 100 - Behind The Scenes. A great film (above) from behind the scenes of the 100th Ronde (2016). The view from the media tent, team car and more. There are also films for De Ronde 101, 102, 103... so much Ronde!

That's it. Before anyone starts shouting about the races I've missed, or how Milan Sanremo is actually a great race, I am fully aware that I've missed loads out.

This is an intro to The Classics for new fans and riders. Feel free to go as deep as you like in your own time. And I'm only (partially) joking about MSR.

Whatever I've missed/got wrong, please feel free to tell us at length on social media (@dirtywknd) or in the comments below.

I really hope you enjoy the 2026 Classics season - it's going to be a cracker. If you have any questions during the races, drop us a DM or an email.