Belgium
The Monuments
Tour of Flanders with Sportive Breaks
One of the must ride sportives in world cycling and possibly the best one day classic in the pro circuit. The Tour of Flanders sportive is your chance to ride over classic cobbled climbs including the Koppenberg, de Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg. Stay with us in Kortrijk for the weekend.
Weekend Highlights
Weekend Highlights
-
Spread your payments: Our payment plan is an interest-free payment method where you will have the opportunity to spread payment for your booking
-
Stay in Kortrijk: Kortrijk is within easy reach of Oudenaarde where the sportive starts & finishes & the pro race ends. Transport included with our packages
-
Guided warm up ride on the cobbles: On Friday afternoon we ride with our local guide over the cobbles on a short route taking in the Kwaremont, Koppenberg & Paterberg. You don't want to have your first taste of cobbles action on Sportive day!
-
Mechanical support: Our expert mechanics are on hand all weekend.
-
Available extras: Book your choice of sportive entry with us. Bring your own bike or rent one of our bikes for the weekend. Airport transfers from Brussels are also available.
| Sportive Distance | Sportive Elevation | Sportive Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Route | 239km | 1978m |
4/5
Lots of climbing but either shorter rides or an easier day mixed in. Challenging but suitable for most riders.
|
| Medium Route | 174km | 1853m |
3/5
Mix of climbing & flatter days suitable for most riders.
|
| Medium Route | 139km | 1497m |
2/5
Rolling terrain with the occasional climb. Social riding suitable for all riders.
|
| Short Route | 74km | 886m |
1/5
Shorter, flatter days suitable for newer riders.
|
What's Included
Accommodation
Choice of 3 or 4 star hotel in Kortrijk from £459
Included Meals
All breakfasts
Guided Warm Up Ride
Friday PM ride on the cobbles
Mechanic
Available all weekend
Transfer
Included for Sportive and Pro Race day
Additional Extras
Transfer
Optional airport transfers from Brussels at £50 return
Sportive Entry
From £50. Delivered to your hotel
Bike Rental
Available from £140 for the weekend
Tour of Flanders
The Tour of Flanders weekend is a fantastic celebration of our sport by one of the most passionate cycling loving regions on earth. There are a variety of sportive routes available, all including the classic finish of the Oude Kwaremont & Paterberg.
While Roubaix is all about cobbles and the Ardennes classics are all about sharp climbs, Flanders is a mix of the two with some brutal cobbled sectors and steep cobbled climbs. The most famous of these are the Koppenberg, Muur & Paterberg with gradients pushing 20%. The sportive is so popular and the roads so narrow that on these climbs it is a challenge to get passed the numerous riders that walk up the steep sections.
The route finishes with a long flat sprint to Oudenaarde finishing in the race village with a large beer tent and food vendors to help bring your energy back.
Itinerary
Expand All
Thursday 30 March 2023 : Optional early arrival day
Please make your own arrangements to arrive at our hotel in Kortrijk today. Our team will be available to meet you at the hotel. If you plan to fly then we offer airport transfers for you, your luggage and your bike from Brussels International airport at 11.00.
Our hotels
Choose to stay at either 3* hotel Square or 4* hotel Messeyne in Kortrijk centre. Your stay will be for 3 or 4 nights and will be on a bed and breakfast basis so with breakfasts included. You will have an early breakfast on We Ride Flanders day
What about my bike?
You can bring your own bike as we have made arrangements to transport bike boxes on our airport transfers. Alternatively, you can rent a bike with us for the weekend. Our mechanic will be available this afternoon at the hotel to assist you with fitting your rental bike or building your own bike after travel. Bikes can be safely stored at the hotel.
This afternoon and early evening, our tour leaders and bike mechanics are available for you. The evening is free for you to eat out in one of Kortrijk’s many restaurants.
Friday 31 March 2023 : Guided warm up ride, race briefing. Arrival day
Please make your own arrangements to arrive at our hotel in Kortrijk today. Our team will be available to meet you at the hotel. If you plan to fly then we offer airport transfers for you, your luggage and your bike from Brussels International airport at 11.00.
Our hotels
Choose to stay at either 3* hotel Square or 4* hotel Messeyne in Kortrijk centre. Your stay will be for 3 or 4 nights and will be on a bed and breakfast basis so with breakfasts included. You will have an early breakfast on We Ride Flanders day
What about my bike?
You can bring your own bike as we have made arrangements to transport bike boxes on our airport transfers. Alternatively, you can rent a bike with us for the weekend. Our mechanic will be available this afternoon at the hotel to assist you with fitting your rental bike or building your own bike after travel. Bikes can be safely stored at the hotel.
Guided ride
At 14.00 we will take you on a supported, guided ride of about 50 km that takes in the Kwaremont and the Koppenberg. Entries will be delivered to you at the hotel today.
This afternoon and early evening, our tour leaders and bike mechanics are available for you. The evening is free for you to eat out in one of Kortrijk’s many restaurants.
Saturday 1 April 2023 : Sportive Day
We have an early start this morning. Early breakfast is arranged in the hotel restaurant. The long distance starts from Brugge and the other distances start and finish in Oudenaarde so we offer transport to get there this morning.
Start & finish / location & hours
START Cyclo 217km
Brugge – 07.00 – 08.00
START 177km, 136km, 72km
Oudenaarde (Lindestraat, Oudenaarde)
- Cyclo 177 km: 07.00 – 08.30
- Cyclo 136 km: 08.30 – 10.00
- Cyclo 72 km: 10.00 – 11.00
FINISH
The finish of all distances is on the Markt in Oudenaarde. The last aid station closes at 19:00. If you arrive here later, you are no longer an official participant and you are obliged to take the shortest route to the finish. The finish in Oudenaarde officially closes at 20h00. Once you finish in Oudenaarde, we provide transport back to Kortrijk.
This afternoon and early evening we’ll assist you with re-packing your bikes ahead of travel and you’ll also be able to return your rental bikes with us if you are not using it tomorrow.
The evening is free for you to eat out in one of Kortrijk’s many restaurants or you can choose to eat at the hotel.
Sunday 2 April : The 2023 Tour of Flanders
Riders and fans are eagerly looking forward to the finish in the centre of Oudenaarde. The champions sprint to the finish line. In Oudenaarde you experience it from the front row: live and on the big screen. The Donkmeer and the Markt are the place to be. You can see the race live 4 times. If you walk up and down between the market square of Oudenaarde and the arrival area you will see the race pass by and be able to witness two finishes (men and women).
We will provide transport for you to get to Oudenaarde. Below we have listed a couple of different options for you today.
Stay in Oudenaarde
In the last 75 km, the most notorious passages are lurking: from the Koppenberg and the Hotond to the Oude Kwaremont and the Paterberg. Riders and fans are eagerly looking forward to the finish in the centre of Oudenaarde. The champions sprint to the finish line. In Oudenaarde you experience it from the front row: live and on the big screen. The Donkmeer and the Markt are the place to be. You can see the race live 4 times. If you walk up and down between the market square of Oudenaarde and the arrival area you will see the race pass by and be able to witness two finishes (men and women).
Shuttle bus to Oude Kwaremont
There is a free shuttle bus from Oudenaarde station up to the public village on the Oude Kwaremont where you can see the riders 3 times. There are pubs, food and beer vans and a big screen so you can alternate between standing by the road-side and watching the big screen.
Tour of Flanders Hospitality
Alternatively we also provide a programme of official VIP experiences – More information here
Monday 3 April 2023 : Departure day
Enjoy a well earned breakfast before heading home. we offer our optional transfer back to Brussels Zaventem airport, which will depart from Oudenaarde at 0630 (for flights departing after 1030).
Sportive Options
Choose from 4 routes for the We Ride Flanders Sportive. All routes start and finish in Oudenaarde apart from the long distance which starts in Bruges. Routes below are from 2022 but we expect the 2023 routes to be similar, apart from the 229km route now starting in Bruges.
Oude Kwaremont
The Oude Kwaremont may not be the most difficult climb in the Flemish Ardennes, but it wins the prize for most beautiful name. Moreover, this long climb is of immeasurable beauty. Since 2012, the Oude Kwaremont has been given a leading role in the final of Tour of Flanders, with it being climbed several times.
Paterberg
Near Kwaremont is the ultra-short but super-steep climb over cobblestones of the Paterberg. A climb less than 400 meters long, yet according to experts one of the most difficult climbs in Flanders. How is that possible? Simple, mix a cobbled section with an average gradient of almost 12%! When the concrete slabs were replaced by cobblestones in 1986, the Paterberg was immediately included in the Tour of Flanders.
Taaienberg
This hill lives up to its name. Taaienberg literally means ‘tough hill’ and the reason for this name will become clear when you ascend its 530m stretch of cobblestones. This wasTom Boonen’s favourite hill to test his early season form on with an annual attack in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad earning it the name of ‘Boonenberg’.
Koppenberg
The ‘bump’ of Melden, as the Koppenberg is locally known, is guaranteed to add suspense to the Ronde, every year. Not surprisingly it has been listed as a national monument. This hill and over 100 acres of surrounding countryside add up to one the most beautiful natural hotspots in the Flemish Ardennes. The Koppenberg is also probably the most difficult climb in the region, combining maximum gradient of 20% with rutted, worn cobbles and a constantly greasy surface.
Entry fees:
- 75km – £50*
- 136km – £60*
- 179km – £70*
- 235km – £80**
*Includes return transport from Kortrijk to Oudenaarde
**Includes transport from Kortrijk to Brugge and back from Oudenaarde
Bike rental options
We provide three different bike rental options for our Flanders weekend. Choose from a top of the range Giant TCR Advanced carbon with Shimano Ultegra Di2 to more affordable options such as Giant TCR Advanced carbon with Shimano mechanical Ultegra and Giant Contend SL 1 aluminium frame with Shimano 105.
- Giant TCR Advanced carbon with Shimano Ultegra Di2 £265
- Giant TCR Advanced carbon with mechanical Shimano Ultegra £210
- Giant Contend SL 1 aluminium frame with mechanical Shimano 105 £150
| Distance | Elevation | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Route | 239km | 1978m |
4/5
Plenty of tough sectors but suitable for most regular riders.
|
| Medium Route | 174km | 1853m |
3/5
Rolling terrain with the occasional tougher section.
|
| Medium Route | 139km | 1497m |
2/5
Flat to rolling day with max one tough section.
|
| Short Route | 74km | 886m |
1/5
A flat or short easy sportive.
|
Accommodation
Hotel Messeyne Kortrijk
Tour of Flanders - Sportive Breaks
Nestled in the centre of Kortrijk is the Hotel Messeyne, an elegant family hotel just five minutes from the Grote Markt. For business travel as well as a family vacation, this hotel is the ideal base of operations. It's within walking distance of all of Kortrijk's many attractions. All the rooms are up to standard and are regularly renovated and refreshed. The inspiring meeting rooms, free parking and the gourmet restaurant with a terrace are just a few of the perks that hotel guests love to return to. When the sun is shining, our terrace is one of the most sought-after spots in Kortrijk. Every morning, the hotel restaurant serves an extensive breakfast buffet, too. All guests are welcome to use wellness facilities, including a sauna and hammam, and a modern fitness room at any time. All rooms offer WiFi, and parking at the hotel is free. • Free WiFi • Free wellness spa • Free parking • 28 stylish rooms • Beautiful sun terrace • Extensive breakfast buffet • Just a few minutes from the renowned gourmet restaurant Hof van Cleve • Close to all the Kortijk attractions
Square Hotel Kortrijk
2023 Tour of Flanders with Sportive Breaks
The Square hotel is just a stone's throw from hotel Messeyne and is perfect for people looking for comfort and efficiency in a modern setting. Here, you can breakfast until noon relax in the comfortable rooms. This three-star hotel is within walking distance of Kortrijk's Grote Markt. • Free WiFi • Wellness spa (€ 25) • Free parking (19:00-9:00) • 26 modern rooms • Stylish lounge bar • Extensive breakfast buffet • Centrally located
Airport Transfers
Please make your own arrangements to get to Kortrijk. The nearest airport is Brussels International Airport (BRU) and Charleroi Airport (CRL). The transfer from BRU takes approximately 1.30 hours depending on traffic and from CRL about also about 1.30 hours. For groups please contact us to discuss transfer options and costs . hello@dev.sportivebreaks.com
Dates & Book Now
Sportive Breaks is part of the Destination Sport Experiences Group. When clicking on the booking link below, you will be taken to the Destination Sport Experiences booking engine. If you have any questions, please do contact our team hello@dev.sportivebreaks.com
Other Sportives You May Like
-
Etape du Tour
France
The Big Six
-
La Marmotte June 25, 2023 France
The Big Six
-
Granfondo Lombardia October 8, 2023
Italy
The Monuments
-
Paris Roubaix April 8, 2023 France
The Monuments