Spring is in the air - routes and guide for The Classics

One-Day Classics Schedule for 2016

When I am asked what or where my favorite bike races are held, I smile with great sentiment and excitement and always respond, "Oh, the Classics, the cobbles!". Without a doubt the classics are the most grueling test of man and his bike against the elements. Sure cycling is a team sport, but the classics are the hardest races to predict because most often they come down one day, and the will of one man on that one day.

Like many cycling fans I have large gaps in my interest. For me the real cycling season is the spring, then a gap before the Tour of California and Giro, and another before the Tour de France, and finally a long wait until cyclocross season and watching Worlds. In between, I believe it is best to get and and do it yourself.

For now, even with the fresh layer of snowfall in Denver, Colorado today, Spring is in the air. Read more about the races, where to watch the spring classics livestream, route maps and distances. Enjoy this extensive guide to the Spring Classics. More can be found here: Pedal Dancer® Guide Page to the Spring Classics.

ABOUT THE BIGGEST RACES OF THEM ALL

The Monuments:

• Milano-Sanremo (Italy)
• Tour of Flanders (Belgium)
• Paris-Roubaix (France)
• Liège–Bastogne–Liège (Belgium)
• Il Lombardia (Italy)

Nicknames for the Classics:

• Paris-Roubaix = Queen of the Classics (La Reine), The Hell of the North, La Pascale
• Amstel Gold = [no nickname]
• La Fleche-Wallonne = The Walloon Arrow
• Liege-Bastogne-Liege = La Doyenne (the oldest/old lady)
• Milan-San Remo = La Primavera (the spring), Sprinters' Classic, La Classicissima
• Ronde van Vlaanderen = Flanders' most beautiful (Vlaanderens mooiste)
• Paris-Nice = Race to the Sun
• Tirreno-Adriatico = Race of the two Seas
• Il Lombardia = Race of the Falling Leaves

You are on pavé. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

THE SPRING CLASSICS

Spring Classics = Milan-San Remo + Cobbled Classics + Ardennes Classics

La Primavera

• Milano-Sanremo (Italy)

Cobbled Classics:

• Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (Belgium)
• Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne (Belgium)
• Dwars door Vlaanderen (Belgium)
• E3 Harelbeke  (Belgium)
• Ghent-Wevelgem  (Belgium)
• Tour of Flanders  (Belgium)
• Scheldeprijs (Belgium)
• Paris-Roubaix  (France)

*The most prestigious cobbled classics races are Paris-Roubaix and Tour of Flanders. E3 Harelbeke and Ghent-Wevelgem are also revered, with E3 Harelbeke now being the tougher of the later two.

Ardennes Classics:

• Amstel Gold  (The Netherlands)
• La Flèche Wallonne (Belgium)
• Liège–Bastogne–Liège (Belgium)

Sculpture and Pond at t'Zand square Bruges on Tour of Flanders race day. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

SEEING THE CLASSICS AS A FAN

For an American, the cobbled climbs of the Spring Classics can be hard to understand or appreciate, I certainly didn't understand them until I went and saw them for myself. The climbs aren't that long and don't appear that steep on TV, but trying to acheive and maintain momentum up these climbs is super hard. The cobbles are big, the ruts wide, the camber uneven, the pace unnervingly slow, the conditions often slick and the outcome somewhat unknown.

The approach onto these short cobbled sections often transition around a corner from pavement onto the harsh cobbles, and then suddenly after an excruciating effort, back onto fast smooth tarmac. The passage is narrow and you never know if there will be a crash or pile up ahead; being at the front is crucial. The top of any cobbled climb feels like a tremendous accomplishment. As a spectator, being anywhere near these climbs on race day is exhilarating.

If you are a first time visitor, you might consider joining a tour company. I planned and made the trip solo and had one of the best cyclist tourist trips I have completed. I loved the blend of culture, food, beer, getting lost, exploring the climbs, war memorials, meeting new friends and happily discovering why Belgium is the heartland of cycling. 

The start (bottom) of the Paterberg looks pleasant enough, but wait, it get's steep fast. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

And don't forget about the beer!

The endless choice of delicious beers in Belgium. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

And the food!

Yum, pies and torts in Belgium. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

And the frites! A must - walking the streets of Bruges with frites en (Andalouse) mayo. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

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2016

The classics demonstrate the true beauty of bike racing - they are hard, unknown glory at its best. Here is a list of the classics by date.

One-Day Classics Schedule for 2016 - race dates and links to official race websites.

February 2016
27 February 2016: Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, BELGIUM, UCI European Tour 1.HC
28 February 2016: Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne, BELGIUM UCI European Tour 1.HC

March 2016
5 March 2016: Strade Bianche, ITALY, UCI European Tour 1.HC
19 March 2016: Milano - Sanremo, ITALY, UCI WorldTour 1.UWT
23 March 2016: Dwars door Vlaanderen BELGIUM, UCI European Tour 1.HC
25 March 2016: E3 Harelbeke, BELGIUM, UCI WorldTour 1.UWT
27 March 2016: Ghent - Wevelgem in Flanders Fields, BELGIUM, UCI WorldTour 1.UWT

April 2016
3 April 2016: Ronde van Vlaanderen / Tour des Flandres, BELGIUM, UCI WorldTour 1.UWT
6 April 2016: Scheldeprijs, BELGIUM UCI European Tour 1.HC
10 April 2016: Paris - Roubaix, FRANCE, UCI WorldTour 1.UWT
17 April 2016: Amstel Gold Race, NETHERLANDS, UCI WorldTour 1.UWT
20 April 2016: La Flèche Wallonne, BELGIUM, UCI WorldTour 1.UWT
24 April 2016: Liège - Bastogne - Liège, BELGIUM, UCI WorldTour 1.UWT

HOW TO WATCH THE SPRING CLASSICS FROM THE USA

My tip is to discover your best option before race day (or slightly before the finish!). Your access to each race will be a bit different and video is often geo-restricted. The options below will list the start and estimated race finish times, a definite help for early risers in the USA. Begin your search for coverage here:

• Steephill.TV: the top of the page lists current race news, the side column (desktop) has a neat and tidy box with the Classics links.
• Cycling Fans: most current race live coverage is listed at the top of the page
• ProCyclingLive: latest links in the center of page.
• Cycling TV: Live and on demand subscription required. 
• NBC Sports Live Extra cycling depending on your TV cable company.  
• NBC Sports Live Extra Mobile App, download in the App Store or the Google Play store. You’ll need a cable provider log-in to watch. 
• CyclingHub.TV: for some you might want to try this livestream site.
• Twitter: search for a link by race name offered by other fans.    

Tip: I purchased a 3-month subscription to Cycling.TV, but I also pull up a Sporza link from Belgium (via Steephill.TV). I like to also watch the local Belgian coverage and the interviews after the race.  In addition I follow along on the live text coverage on CyclingNews.com

You will see far more on TV, but being there is person is a thrill!

Chasing the cobbled climbs included in the classics is an easy place to get lost. The famed cobbled sections included in a number of the races are mere stretches of hard rock in the beautiful countryside of Belgium. 

Location of Kwaremont and Paterberg pave sections, near Kerkhove, Belgium. Map by Pedal Dancer®

Such beautiful countryside to pedal through. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

WHO WILL WIN THE CLASSICS?

Similar names appear each year depending on the terrain of the course and whether short punchy climbs are involved, or long powerful distances are to be raced. Members of team Etixx-Quick Step stands like gods in Belgium, but Team Sky is serious in their preparation, so too is team BMC. This year look for these names to be on the podiums:

Greg Van Avermaet, Ian Stannard, Tom Boonen, Fabian Canellara, Peter Sagan, Mark Cavendish, Marcel Kittel, Michal Kwiatkowski, Luke Rowe, Tony Martin, Alexander Kristoff, Nikki Terpstra. The Ardennes classics are typically won by strong climbers such as Alejandro Valverde, Simon Gerrans, Sylvain Chavenel or Philippe Gilbert. 

Leading into the 2016 spring races, John Degenkolb is injured; Andre Greipel is injured. Mark Cavendish's new team, Dimension Data, has not received a wild card invitation to defend his 2015 title at Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne 2016. Geraint Thomas is focusing on stage racing. But look out for the strong presence of Tony Martin, new to the cobbled classics. 

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Lion of Flanders. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

SPRING CLASSICS ROUTE MAPS FOR 2016


2016 Omloop Het Niewuwsblad route map
27 February 2016: Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, BELGIUM, UCI European Tour 1.HC

Start city: Gent
Finish city: Gent
Distance:  200,8 km
Type of race: cobbled classic

Parcours: interactive road map
Road map: oomloop 2016 elite men roads
Timetable: oomloop 2016 elite men timetable

List of cobbles and bergs/helling: itinéraire

Who won is 2015?:  Ian Stannard (SKY)
Who won is 2016?:  Greg Van Avermaet (BMC)

Greg Van Avermaet in Kortrijk. Photo by Pedal Dancer®

Omloop Het Niewuwsblad 2016 route map

2016 Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne route map
28 February 2016: Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne, BELGIUM UCI European Tour 1.HC

Start city: Kuurne
Finish city: Kuurne
Distance: 200,7 km
Type of race: sprinter's classic

Parcours: interactive road map
Road map and timetable: elite men roads (on page)

List of cobbles and bergs/helling: itinéraire

Who won is 2015?:  Mark Cavendish (Etixx-Quick Step)
Who won is 2016?:

Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne route map

2016 Strade Bianca route map
5 March 2016: Strade Bianche, ITALY, UCI European Tour 1.HC

Start city: Siena
Finish city: Siena
Distance: 176 km
Type of race: white gravel

Route map: Parcours (on page)
Timetable: Altimetria (on page)

Who won is 2015?:  Zdenek Stybar (Etixx - Quick Step)
Who won is 2016?: 

Strade Bianca 2016 route map

2016 Milan San Remo route map
19 March 2016: Milano - Sanremo, ITALY, UCI WorldTour 1.UWT

Start city: Milano
Finish city: Sanremo
Distance: ~293 km
Type of race: sprinter's classic

Route mao: planimetria (details not yet published)
Profile map: altrimetria
Timetable: cronotabella

Who won is 2015?:  John Degenkolb (Giant - Alpecin)
Who won is 2016?: 

Milan San Remo route map 2016

2016 Dwars door Vlaanderen route map
23 March 2016: Dwars door Vlaanderen BELGIUM, UCI European Tour 1.HC

Start city: Meensesteenweg
Finish city: Verbindingsweg Waregem
Distance: 199,7 km
Type of race: cobbled classic

Parcours: interactive course map
Profile: Elite Men Profile
Road map: Elite Men Roads
Timetable: Elite Men Time table
Teams: pro teams

Who won is 2015?:  Jelle Wallays (Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise)
Who won is 2016?:

Dwars door Vlaanderen route map 2016

The final stretch of climb up the Kwaremont on a quiet day.  ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

2016 E3 Harelbeke route map, (the bergs in E3)
25 March 2016: E3 Harelbeke, BELGIUM, UCI WorldTour 1.UWT

Start city: Harelbeke
Finish city: Aankomst
Distance: 206 km
Type of race: cobbled classic
@E3Harelbeke

Parcours: interactive course map and Record Bank E3 Harelbeke - World Tour Elite - Roads and Traffic
Road map: Record Bank E3 Harelbeke - World Tour Elite - Detail
Teams: pro teams
Highlighted bergs: climbs

Who won is 2015?:  Geraint Thomas (Sky)
Who won is 2016?: 

E3 Harelbeke route map 2016

This is Tour of Flanders country (Ronde van Vlaanderen). ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

2016 Gent - Wevelgem route map
27 March 2016: Gent - Wevelgem in Flanders Fields, BELGIUM, UCI WorldTour 1.UWT

Start city: Gent
Finish city: Wevelgem
Distance: 242,8 km
Type of race: sprinter's classic

Parcours: interactive course map
Road map: gw2016-elite-men-roadmap-v2.pdf
Timetable: gw2016-elite-men-timetable (1).pdf
Teams: Pro teams
List of bergs/helling: on itinerary 
Trivia: 48 of the past 60 races have been won by a Belgian.

Who won is 2015?: Luca Paolini (Katusha)
Who won is 2016?:  

Gent - Wevelgem route map 2016

Strolling the streets of Ghent. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

2016 Tour of Flanders route map
3 April 2016: Ronde van Vlaanderen / Tour des Flandres, BELGIUM, UCI WorldTour 1.UWT

Start city: Bruges
Finish city: Oudenaarde
Distance: 255 km
Type of race: cobbled classic

Parcours: interactive course map
The bergs
Road Map: rvv2016-elite-men-roadmap.pdf
Timetable: rvv2016-elite-men-timetable.pdf 
Teams: Pro teams

Who won is 2015?:  Alexander Kristoff (Katusha)
Who won is 2016?: 

Tour of Flanders route map 2016

Practice day on the Kwaremont pre Tour of Flanders race day. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

2016 Schedldeprijs route map
6 April 2016: Scheldeprijs, BELGIUM UCI European Tour 1.HC

Start city: Antwerpen
Finish city: Schoten
Distance: 207,8 km
Type of race: sprinter's / cobbled classic

Parcours: interactive course map
Road Map: sp2016-elite-men-roadmapV20feb.pdf
Timetable: sp2016-elite-men-timetable V20feb.pdf
Teams: Pro teams

Who won is 2015?:  Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) 
Who won is 2016?: 

2016 Schedldeprijs route map

Antwerpen

2016 Paris-Roubaix route map
10 April 2016: Paris - Roubaix, FRANCE, UCI WorldTour 1.UWT

Start city: Compiègne
Finish city: Roubaix
Distance: ~ 253 km
Type of race: cobbled classic

Pro Teams for 2016: participants
Route map: the official 2016 Paris-Roubaix parcours map has not yet been released.

The route of the 2016 Paris-Roubaix, which will be held on Sunday April 10, will include 27 cobble sectors over 52.8kms (32.81 miles) of cobblestones. The “Trouée d'Arenberg”, the Mons-en-Pévèle sector and the “Carrefour de l'Arbre” will be included in the 2016 p parcours. The uphill climb of Hameau du Buat will be featured in 2016. One hundred metres has been added to the length of the race in 2016. The total distance will be a grueling 257.5kms (160 miles).

Who won is 2015?:  John Degenkolb (Giant - Alpecin)
Who won is 2016?: 

The velodrome on Roubaix where the Paris-Roubaix race finishes. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

2016 Amstel-Gold route map
17 April 2016: Amstel Gold Race, NETHERLANDS, UCI WorldTour 1.UWT

Start City: Maastricht
Finish City: Valkenburg
Distance:
Type of race: Ardennes classic

Who won is 2015?:  Michal Kwiatkowski (Etixx-Quick Step)
Who won is 2016?: 

The exact parcours of the 2016 Amstel Gold has not yet been released.

Maastricht

Ardennes Classics:

• Amstel Gold  (The Netherlands) 
• La Flèche Wallonne (Belgium)
• Liège–Bastogne–Liège (Belgium)

Winners of the Classics in 2015

2015 Trofeo-Laigueglia - Winner: Davide Cimolai (Lampre-Merida)
2015 Omloop Het Nieuw - Winner: Ian Stannard (SKY)
2015 Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne - Winner: Mark Cavendish (Etixx-Quick Step)
2015 Le Samyn - Winner: Kris Boeckmans (Lotto Soudal)
2015 Strade Bianche - Winner:  Zdenek Stybar (Etixx - Quick Step) 
2015 Milan-San Remo - Winner: John Degenkolb (Giant - Alpecin)
2015 Dwars d Vlaanderen - Winner: Jelle Wallays (Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise)
2015 E3 - Harelbeke - Winner: Geraint Thomas (Sky)
2015 Gent-Wevelgem - Winner: Luca Paolini (Katusha) 
2015 Tour of Flanders - Winner: Alexander Kristoff (Katusha)
2015 Scheldeprijs - Winner: Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) 
2015 Paris-Roubaix - Winner: John Degenkolb (Giant - Alpecin)
2015 De Brabantse Pijl - Winner: Ben Hermans (BMC) 
2015 Amstel Gold - Michal Kwiatkowski (Etixx-Quick Step)
2015 La Flèche Wallonne - Winner: Alejandro Valverde (Movistar)
2015 Liège-Bastogne-Liège - Winner: Alejandro Valverde (Movistar)
2015 San Sebastian - Winner: Adam Yates (Orica GreenEDGE)
2015 GP Cycliste Québec - Winner: Rigoberto Uran Uran (Etixx Quickstep)
2015 GP Cycliste Montreal - Winner: Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal)
2015 Il Lombardia - Winner: Vincenzo Nibali (Astana)

A landmark at the entrance to the Koppenberg climb. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Yes Milan-San Remo is a Monument!

Tradition, honor, prestige, long, sometimes epic - this is Milan-San Remo

This Sunday, March 22nd, is La classicissima di Primavera in Italy. A race, that once won, becomes a title forever inserted before a rider's name, e.g., "Milan-San Remo winner Alexander Kristoff." Every bike race varies and can be summed up by certain elements: often labeled as a sprinter's race, a climber's race, dependent on the team, all about the type of road surface, or all about the length or route. Milan-San Remo can be summed up by the word Tradition.

What makes this race so special? The future is unknown and Milan-San Remo matters.

We love to analyze, to guess and express our opinion before an event, as hours are spent discussing how many races a given rider has or has not recently won and how that affects the unknown future. We pick apart the conditions of the last 5-kilometers of the race and determine the top 10 rider's; while doubting that any given rider has it in him to win (how would you like to hear that about yourself before a race?). All this attention swells within 7-days of the race.

Then, most often, somebody totally unexpected wins under totally unexpected conditions. It is the very rare man who wins Milan-San Remo twice. (Of course you want to know who has done so: Costante Girardengo, Gino Bartali, Fausto Coppi, Loretto Petrucci, Eddy Merckx, Roger De Vlaeminck, Laurent Fignon, Erik Zabel, and Óscar Freire)

The winner stands on the podium, we forget and forgive all the incorrect and over-inflated predictions, and pick up the conversation again, with similar characteristics, 358-days later when we cannot remember who the 5th or 6th placed rider was a year prior, but we can remember who won (Alexander Kristoff). I sometimes doubt if the previews are worth a read and the predictions worth a listen - nobody knows who will win, which is all that matters - but anticipation and excitement is at least 40% of the fun of being a fan of cycling.

Will you be watching? 40%
Are you watching? 30%
Did you watch? 20%
I missed it! 10%

You don't want to miss The Monuments!

Milano-Sanremo - 22 March 2015 (Italy)
Tour des Flandres - 5 April 2015 (Belgium) (Ronde van Vlaanderen)
Paris-Roubaix -12 April 2015 (France)
Liège–Bastogne–Liège - 26 April 2015 (Belgium)
Il Lombardia - 4 October 2014 (Italy)

Is Milan-San Remo a Monument?

Yes it is and will always be! More than the route, more than the predictions - Milan-San Remo is a race worth winning. There are only five Monuments in cycling. To win any of the Monuments, boosts a rider's future tremendously through team contracts, endorsements, future jobs upon retirement, respect and a very pretty palmares.

Milan-San Remo is 293 miles that matter very much to an individual (and a team). This Sunday, there will be 200 individuals out there giving it their all. Race previews for Milan-San Remo are everywhere, which in my opinion is further evidence that people care a lot about this particular race. The first sentences of these race previews build our excitement:

"It’s time for the first Monument of the season. Milano - San Remo is one of the most unpredictable races on the calendar." ~ C-Cycling

"The biggest race of the season so far takes place this weekend in the form of Milan-San Remo..." ~ Cycling News

"The longest of cycling’s fabled one-day Monuments at 293 kilometres, La Primavera is also considered the most open with pure sprinters, rouleurs and Grand Tour contenders all queuing up to taste victory." ~ Team Sky

"The first Monument of the year and the last chance for the sprinters to win before more hills are added to the route." ~ The Inner Ring

"Spring must be here in Europe, at last, as the first big Classic of the season leaves Milan on Sunday morning to make the near 300 kilometre journey to Sanremo, but this year without the climb of La Manie. " ~ Pez Cycling

Plus there will be rain on Sunday. How awesome! How unpredictable!

Route Map of the 2015 Milan - San Remo

The route of Milan-San Remo changes every year.

Thanks to the folks who write the race previews

For most of the big races, the same race preview creators compile what we need to know about any given race. I admire the hours of time and commitment required to put the facts together for fans. I know from writing guides and previews myself that one seldom finds good information on the official race website (Milano-San Remo) until just prior to the race start. You need to know the route and have walked on the roads to predict a race. You need to know the condition of the riders on the roster (announced one-week in advance) and the relation of the riders on each team.

For those fans who travel to the race, or who like to read up in advance (to further their own opinions about who will win), these race previews are much appreciated. Although the maps may be the same, the content and opinions are original.

I personally like the Team Sky previews, and the work of Mikkel Condé of C-Cycling. Cycling-Tips now reprints his work (with credit!) and Steephill.TV always links to his work. Condé agonizes over getting the facts correct. The Inner Ring used his work awhile back, but The Inner Ring never (or very rarely) gives credit to others who write and contribute to that website, so I am happy to see Condé receiving the attention his work deserves by joining with Cycling Tips, a news source which always delivers honest excellence.

Read the Race Reviews for yourself - the titles are (very) much the same, but the information differs (just a bit):

• Mikkel Condé C-Cycling: Milan-San Remo 2015 - Preview & Favorties (highly recommended!)
• Team Sky: Milan - San Remo Race Guide
• Cycling Tips (reprinting Mikkel Condé  preview): 2015 Milan - San Remo Preview
• Cycling Weekly: Milan-San Remo 2015 preview
• Cycling Weekly: Mark Cavendish's Guide to Milan-San Remo
• Cycling News: Milan - San Remo Preview
• Sky Sports: Milan-San Remo preview: Mark Cavendish Among Favourites
• The Inner Ring: Milan-Sanremo Preview
• Pez Cycling: Milan-Sanremo Preview: La Primavera!
• GCN video: Top 10 Riders to Watch at Milan-San Remo (enjoy these guys!)
• Just the facts of ProCyclingStats: 2015 Milano-Sanremo
• The preview I disagree with (and just discovered today): The Recon Ride Podcast: Milano-Sanremo 2015 Pre-race Show. 
• I prefer The Cycling Podcast
• VeloNews' best creative headline: Preview: Milano-Sanremo turns back the clock 

Read up and then watch the race:

25 teams of 8 men - see the Start List
Find links to watch the race live - Steephill.TV
Enjoy a look back in history: Milan-San Remo: moments in history by Wade Wallace

What is it called?

Generally the race is represented by the Italian Milano-Sanremo, and/or the English rendition as Milan-San Remo.

Related Posts by Pedal Dancer:

• The Real Monuments Men 
• Classics Schedule for 2015
• Guide Page: SPRING CLASSICS

WorldTour Race Schedule for 2015

List of the biggest baddest pro bike races in the world!

This year, the list of UCI WorldTour races is long and familiar, all races remain the same as in 2014, except the Tour of Beijing which is no longer part of the UCI WorldTour. The names are the same, but most of the routes differ year to year. For the next few months your Sundays will be busy.

This weekend Paris-Nice begins! It is promised to be big. Who will be there - all the usual main season suspects: Carlos Betancur, Romain Bardet, Tejay van Garderen, Fabio Aru, Michal Kwiatkowski, Tom Dumoulin, Richie Porte, Gerraint Thomas, Michael Matthews, John Degenkolb, Alexander Kristoff, and Bradley Wiggins (in a supporting role).

We can watch the Paris-Nice race Live starting at 14:00 CET (5:00am. EDT, 7:00am MDT), simply check in for links at Steephill.TV or CyclingFans. And then do the same for all the other races listed below.

Dates of 2015 UCI WorldTour Races (27)

January 17-25, 2015 - Santos Tour Down Under (Australia)
March 8-15, 2015 - Paris - Nice (France)
March 11-17, 2015 - Tirreno-Adriatico (Italy)
March 22, 2015 - Milano-Sanremo (Italy)
March 23-29, 2015 - Volta Ciclista a Catalunya (Spain)
March 27, 2015 - E3 Harelbeke (Belgium) 
March 29, 2015 - Gent - Wevelgem (Belgium)
April 5, 2015 - Ronde van Vlaanderen / Tour des Flandres (Belgium)
April 6 - 11, 2015 - Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco (Spain)
April 12, 2015 - Paris - Roubaix (France)
April 19, 2015 - Amstel Gold Race (The Netherlands)
April 22, 2015 - La Flèche Wallonne (Belgium) 
April 26, 2015 - Liège - Bastogne - Liège (Belgium)  
April 28-May 3, 2015 - Tour de Romandie (Switzerland)
May 9-31, 2015 - Giro d'Italia (Italy)
June 7-14, 2015 - Critérium du Dauphiné (France)
June 13-21, 2105 - Tour de Suisse (Switzerland)
July 4-26, 2015 - Tour de France (France)
August 1, 2015 - Clasica Ciclista San Sebastian (Spain)
August 2-8-2015 - Tour de Pologne (Poland)
August 10-16, 2015 - Eneco Tour (The Netherlands)
August 22-Sept 13, 2015 - Vuelta a España (Spain)
August 23, 2015 - Vattenfall Cyclassics (Germany)
August 30, 2015 - GP Ouest France - Plouay (France)
September 11, 2015 - Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec (Canada)
September 13, 2015 - Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal (Canada)
October 4, 2015 - Il Lombardia (Italy)

Let's look at the planned routes (parcours) for some of the WorldTour races:

2015 Paris - Nice route map: Sunday, March 8-15, 2015

Official website route description: The 73rd edition of Paris-Nice will set out from Maurepas in the Yvelines district on Sunday after a series of events dedicated to cycling on Saturday. The race will then begin its southbound journey towards its first ever date with the col de la Croix de Chaubouret near Saint Etienne. The action will be beamed to 170 countries across the globe.

Route of 2015 Paris-Nice

2015 Milan-San Remo route map: Sunday, March 22, 2015

CyclingNews route description: RCS Sport published the route map and profile of the 293km route on Friday, confirming that no extra climb will be added to tip the race in the favour of the climbers. RCS Sport was hit by a backlash of criticism by riders and fans who made it clear they preferred the finely balanced traditional race route. Via Roma will again host the likely sprint finish after a seven-year absence.

Route of 2015 Milano Sanremo

2015 Ronde van Vlaanderen route map: race time table: Sunday, April 5, 2015

Official website route description: Bruges Perfect Starting decor remains ' Flanders' Most Beautiful ' . After passing through the center of Kortrijk and Zwevegem , the village of 'De Ronde ' course is being put towards the Flemish Ardennes. After 100 kilometers follows the first pass through Oudenaarde. The capital of the Flemish Ardennes, in recent years demonstrated its value as a point of arrival. (gotta love translated text)

2015 route of Ronde van Vlaanderen

2015 Paris - Roubaix route map: Sunday, April 12, 2015

Official website route description: With a total distance of 253 kilometres between Compiègne and the Roubaix velodrome, the 113th edition of the Queen of the Classics, which will take place on 12th April, holds 52.7 km of cobbles in store for the riders (1.6 km more than in 2014). The cobbles will be spread over 27 sections, three of which will also be on the programme for the 4th stage of the Tour de France

The cobble sections included in both Paris-Roubaix and the 4th stage of the Tour de France 2015:
Quiévy (after 107.5 km – 3,700 m)
Saint-Python (after 112.5 km – 1,500 m)
Verchain-Maugré (after 130 km – 1,600 m)

 - - - final route map not yet released - - -


2015 Giro d'Italia route map: 3-weeks, starting Saturday, May 9-31, 2015

Official website route start description: The 2015 Giro d’Italia will kick off on the 9th of May, with an 18km team time trial along the coast between San Lorenzo al Mare to San Remo. The 98th edition of the Corsa Rosa will run over 21 stages to the 31st of May and the organisers, RCS Sport/La Gazzetta dello Sport, have announced all three opening stages will take place in the picturesque region of Liguria, which sits on the Italian Riviera.

Route of 2015 Giro d'Italia

2015 Critérium du Dauphiné route map: Sunday, June 7-14, 2015

 - - - final route map not yet released - - - 


2015 Tour de France route map: 3-weeks, starting Saturday, July 4-26, 2015

Official website route description: Running from Saturday July 4th to Sunday July 26th 2015, the 102^th Tour de France will be made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,344 kilometres (before ratification). This 21st Grand Départ from abroad will also be the 6th from the Netherlands which is a record. The Tour will then spend two days in Belgium before reaching France.

Read more, Pedal Dancer: Route of the 2015 Tour de France announced.

Route of 2015 Tour de France

2015 Vuelta a España route map: 3-weeks, starting Saturday, August 22-Sept 13, 2015

Official website route description: Running from Saturday August 22nd to Sunday September 13th 2015, the Vuelta will be made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,374.4 kilometres.  The first four stages will take place on Malaga territory.

2015 route of Vuelta a España

Who won the WorldTour Races in 2014?

Looking at who won the key races last year, will quickly tell you the type of rider that will likely win in 2015. It is clear the same riders do not always win, but Gerrans, Valverde, Contador, and Kristoff were all in the news a lot in 2015. Alejandro Valverde easily won the most overall points for the 2014 WorldTour.

The winners:

Santos Tour Down Under - Simon Gerrans (AUS)
Paris-Nice - Carlos Betancur (COL)
Tirreno-Adriatico - Alberto Contador (ESP)
Milano-Sanremo - Alexander Kristoff (NOR)
Volta Ciclista a Catalunya - Joaquim Rodriquez (ESP)
E3 Harelbeke - Peter Sagan (SVK)
Gent - Wevelgem - John Degenkolb (GER)
Ronde van Vlaanderen / Tour des Flandres - Fabian Cancellara (SUI)
Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco - Alberto Contador (ESP)
Paris - Roubaix - Niki Terpstra (NED)
Amstel Gold Race - Philippe Gilbert (BEG)
La Flèche Wallonne - Alejandro Valverde (ESP)
ALiège-Bastogne-Liège - Simon Gerrans (AUS)
Tour de Romandie - Chris Froome (GBR)
Giro d'Italia - Nairo Quintana (COL)
Critérium du Dauphiné - Andrew Talansky (USA)
Tour de Suisse - Rui Costa (POR)
Tour de France - Vincenzo Nibali (ITA)
Clasica Ciclista San Sebastian - Alejandro Valverde (ESP)
Tour de Pologne - Rafal Majka (POL)
Eneco Tour - Tim Wellens (BEL)
Vuelta a España - Alberto Contador (ESP)
Vattenfall Cyclassics - Alexander Kristoff (NOR)
GP Ouest France-Plouay - Sylvain Chavanel (FRA)
Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec - Simon Gerrans (AUS)
Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal - Simon Gerrans (AUS)
Il Lombardia - Dan Martin (IRL)
Tour of Beijing - Philippe Gilbert (BEL)  *no longer in the WorldTour

Team Time Trial at the 2014 World Championships: BMC Racing Team

See also: Pedal Dancer Spring Classics Schedule for 2015
More race dates at: Pedal Dancer CALENDAR OF RACES AND EVENTS Guide Page

Milan-San Remo 2013 - this weekend!

La classica di Primavera

Milano-Sanremo - 17 March 2013, this Sunday!

Whether you call this race Milan-San Remo or Milano-Sanremo - just watch it! To set the mood for this extremely prestigious one-day 298 km race - first take a look at a great collection of photos by Cycling Tips : Milan-San Remo :: Moments in History. And then read this story: Milan to Sanremo, When Fausto Coppi Stopped for a Coffee on the Way to Victory.

Then go directly to the official race website for the 104th edition of this often epic race at Milano-Sanremo, where you should resist clicking the small British flag to change to English language. That's right, try to navigate and discover in Italian - if the new Pope can do it, so can we (A quick tip - silence the Matt White videos).
Squadre (teams)
Programmo (program)
Percorso (route)
Planimetria (map)
Altimetria (profile)
Ultimi 30 km (final 30 km)
Partenza (departure/start) 10:10am
Arrivo (arrival/finish) 17:00-17:30pm
Cronotabella (timetable)
Word of the Day: Passista, Scattista, Velocista

Route maps - 298 glorious kilometers with a sprint finish!

Route map of 2013 Milan-San Remo

Profile map 2013 Milan SanRemo.

Or view the complete 32-page official guide done with Italian style.

Let's remember who won Milan-San Remo in recent years:

2000		Erik Zabel (GER)	Team Telekom
2001		Erik Zabel (GER)	Team Telekom
2002		Mario Cipollini (ITA)	Acqua & Sapone-Cantina Tollo
2003		Paolo Bettini (ITA)	Quick Step-Davitamon
2004		Óscar Freire (ESP)	Rabobank
2005		Alessandro Petacchi (ITA)	Fassa Bortolo
2006		Filippo Pozzato (ITA)	Quick Step-Innergetic
2007		Óscar Freire (ESP)	Rabobank
2008		Fabian Cancellara (SUI)	Team CSC
2009		Mark Cavendish (GBR)	Team Columbia-High Road
2010		Óscar Freire (ESP)	Rabobank
2011		Matthew Goss (AUS)	HTC-Highroad
2012		Simon Gerrans (AUS)	GreenEDGE

Check out the teams and roster of riders for 2013 by VeloNews: Milano-Sanremo 2013 confirmed riders

Read over a preview of the race for 2013: By my favorite race tactician Frankie Andreu (his picks are spot on) Race Preview: Milan-San Remo, "Every racer thinks they have a shot, if they can drop the sprinters." Or by Mikkel at C-Cycling: Milano - San Remo: Preview and Favorites, "there is only one true favorite for this race; Peter Sagan." Or read the lengthy preview by a very knowledgeable reporter Ed Hood: PEZ Previews: La Primavera.

Promo video: Milan-San Remo promo by Cycling Central (available for 3 days). 

Plan on popping up Steephill.TV to watch live coverage very early this Sunday morning (St. Patrick's Day): 2013 Milan-San Remo Live Video, Route, Teams, Results, Photos, TV.

According to Steve Hill at Steephill.TV we can expect:
Start time: Sunday March 17th 10:10 CET (3:10:00 AM MDT); Current Weather in Milan 
Earliest live video: 14:00 CET (7:00:00 AM MDT); Live video/text options 
Approximate finish 17:15 CET (10:15:00 AM MDT); Current Weather in San Remo

I always recommend opening a second browser online with live text coverage by Cyclingnews, this way you can truly know which riders made the break or are falling off the back on the climbs (something TV coverage does not always convey). Open http://www.cyclingnews.com/milan-san-remo coverage from 8:30am CET (European time) on Sunday morning (that's a little early here!).

I won't be watching at 12:30 am but I will rise early to see the final kilometers. Milan-Sanremo is a race in which I want to see the faces of the winner and loosers after 298 km of racing. Tough tough men win this race. M-SR is a career maker, I can't wait to see who the next victor will be.

Travel in the area

Did you know - the top 3 things to do as a tourist in Milan, Italy, are:
1. Viewing the frescos at Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore
2. The Cathedral (Duomo); every city in Italy has one.
3. L'Ultima Cena museum, the location on the Last Supper painting.

Top things to do in San Remo, Italy:
1. The sea
2. A bike ride from Sanremo to San Lorenzo on the old railway cycle path (24km along the Liguarian coast).
3. Eat!

Check out the route of the 2013 Giro d'Italia in May, this year Stage 13 of the Giro, from Busseto to Cherasco, will cross the route of Milan-Sanremo.

Here is a map that I think is of equal importance - all the pizza places near the route of Milan-San Remo. It is Italy, and racing makes me hungry.

That's a lot of pizza!

Related posts by Pedal Dancer:
Photos of the Day: 2013 Milan-San Remo & results
SPRING CLASSICS