Welcome to Rouleur 118: the Classics Issue. While the Tour de France portrays cycling as an idealized sport with picturesque landscapes, warm temperatures and colorful pelotons on perfectly engineered roads, the Classics present a more realistic view of cycling. These one-day races, mainly held in Belgium and northern Europe, such as Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, E3, Gent-Wevelgem, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, are characterized by their gritty and monochromatic nature. They take place on farm roads, surrounded by unglamorous sights and smells, and in muddy, unspectacular landscapes where the trees are still bare in early spring, often with chilly and rainy weather.
Unlike the Tour de France, where energy-saving and patience are critical, the Classics follow a different racing pattern that rewards risk-taking and bravery. The riders who participate in these races need to dare to win, and if they lose, they get another chance in a few days' time. Issue 118 of Rouleur celebrates all things Classics, from the riders who have left their mark on these challenging roads to the places that bring these races to life.
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