Ardennes Classics
The Ardennes Classics are the three prestigious one-day races held primarily in the Ardennes of Belgium and in the Dutch Limburg region.
The three races, Amstel Gold Race, La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, all come within one week in mid-April and suited to puncheurs and climbers because of their hilly profile, in contrast to the Cobbled Classics which take place shortly before.
As of 2017, all three races is accompanied by a women's version - and since their introduction, all three have been part of the UCI Women's WorldTour.
Read more about each race:
>>> Amstel Gold Race 2018: Everything you need to know
>>> Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2018: all you need to know
>>> La Flèche Wallonne 2018: all you need to know
The week of racing traditionally ends with Liège, the only monument of the three, nicknamed 'La Doyenne' ('The Oldest') having first run in 1892.
All three are UCI WorldTour races, with Tour de France organisers ASO arranging Flèche on the Wednesday of the Ardennes week and Liége on the Sunday, while the Amstel Gold Race Foundation puts on its race in Limburg on the first Sunday to kick it all off.
A rider winning all three races in the same week is extremely rare, happening only twice in 2004 with Davide Rebellin and with Philippe Gilbert more recently in 2011. Only four other riders, including Eddy Merckx and Bernard Hinault, have won all three races within their careers.
Key info: Cauberg | Mur de Huy | The climbs of Liège-Bastogne-Liège
Latest
-
Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig eyes Ardennes podiums and Tour de France Femmes result after strong start
The FDJ Suez rider is building up her form towards her season targets
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Marta Cavalli stamps her authority on the Ardennes Classics with Flèche Wallonne win
Italian rider backs up Amstel Gold Race success after a canny closing sprint up the Mur de Huy
By Owen Rogers Published
-
La Flèche Wallonne 2022: all you need to know
All the details of La Flèche Wallonne and La Flèche Wallonne Femmes, taking place on Wednesday April 20 in 2022
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
Tadej Pogačar logs mammoth Liège recon after being forced out of Flèche Wallonne
The reigning Tour de France champion seemed frustrated that he wasn't allowed to ride Flèche Wallonne after finding that the team received 'false positives' tests
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
Why moving the Cauberg in Amstel Gold Race will show that tradition isn't always best
Amstel Gold Race organisers' moving of the Cauberg once again questions whether races should stick to tradition come what may
By Peter Cossins Published
-
Adam Yates 'high in confidence' as he aims for first Ardennes Classic podium
Yates says he's ready to try and deliver a result at La Flèche Wallonne on Wednesday
By Richard Windsor Published
-
Anna van der Breggen takes record-equalling fifth Flèche Wallonne title
World champion conquers the Mur de Huy, breaking Boels-Dolmans' 2019 WorldTour duck
By Owen Rogers Published
-
Bob Jungels makes sensational solo effort to win Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2018
The Luxembourg champion got away just after the Côte de Roche-aux-Faucons and held on for victory
By Richard Windsor Published
-
Tom Pidcock says Amstel Gold Race photo finish created 'more questions than answers'
The Brit says photo finishes should be '100 per cent accurate' in a hastily deleted tweet, while no actual question or investigation into the photo finish has been launched
By Jonny Long Published