Cyclists at Peloton of the Tour de France at the begin of the ascend to Cote de Bad Herrenalb. A major point of excitement for Sports Tours International tour participants.

TOURS & TRAVELS: From Italy to Belgium and France, Sports Tours International 2018 Europe’s Spring Cycling Classics tours will challenge and entertain cycling enthusiasts.

BY KAZAD

MANCHESTER, UK- Sports Tours International has announced four tours in three countries as part of its 2018 tour season. The tours cover the first four ‘Monuments’ of the cycling season: Milan San Remo in Italy; Tour of Flanders and Liege Bastogne Liege in Belgium; and Paris Roubaix in France.

Milan San Remo Pro 

Milan Gran Fondo San Remo. Image: Sports Tours International

Kicking off the Sports Tours International 2018 tour season is the Spring Classics, which focuses on the world’s most compelling cycling competitions such as Tour de France. First on the tour list is Italy’s Milan San Remo pro race slated for March 17, 2018. The race covers a distance of 293k. Tour participants will get the opportunity to ride the Gran Fondo San Remo after watching the race.  The tour also offers the opportunity for participants, especially those that signed up for a weekend travel package, to have even greater fun on the trails.  In addition to the opportunity to ride across the official finish line in San Remo ahead of the race arrival, they will also get the chance for on-site photographs and a behind-the-scenes tour before watching the pros finish.  Food and accommodation are part of the package.

Northern Belgium’s 2018 Tour of Flanders 

Northern Belgium’s Tour of Flanders. Image: Sports Tours International

The Northern Belgium’s 2018 Tour of Flanders is the second part of the Sports Tours International tour adventure. The company supports all four distance options and includes the opportunity to cycle the full 230 km from Antwerp. It starts on March 31 with the cyclosportive in advance of an April 1 pro race. Known for short, sharp climbs from Antwerp into the famous Muur van Geraardsbergen, the race was the deciding climb for Philippe Gilbert’s win in 2017.  The final section follows the usual finishing circuit with the Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg.

2018 Paris Roubaix Pro Race

From Northern Belgium, the tour moves to France for the 2018 Paris Roubaix Pro Race.  The race, which covers 257.5 km, is slated for Apr. 9. Considered the best one-day classic cycling race to watch, the beautiful summer-like condition is a major attraction for many who visit to experience the cycling.

Sports Tours International offers accommodation in Senlis, close to the start in Compiegne. From the starting point in Compiegne to the finish line at the Roubaix velodrome, guests will be at the heart of the drama enjoying this classic in an unparalleled environment. Tour participants will take in the 2018 Paris – Roubaix including its finale at the Roubaix Velodrome from the comfort of the hospitality area. ‘This is a great day of watching one of cycling’s iconic cycling races,’ notes the company.  Perhaps, there will be a reenactment of the 2017 race when Belgian Greg van Avermaet won the 2017 “Queen of Classics” ahead of Szdenek Stybar and Sebastian Langeveld.

Liege-Bastogne-Liege Challenge and Pro Race

The Sports Tours International tour returns to Belgium in the Wallonia region of the country in April for the Liege-Bastogne-Liege Challenge and Pro Race. The race spanning three nights will be held from April 21-22, 2018. First held in 1892, the Liege-Bastogne-Liege Challenge and Pro Race is the senior among cycling’s classics. It embraces the hilliest parts of Belgium, along routes typical of the Ardennes. A weekend can include riding the Liege Bastogne Liege Challenge on the Saturday ahead of watching the professionals on Sunday.

A leading specialist in sports travel in Europe, Sports Tours International hosted thousands of participants and spectators at major sporting events worldwide.  Established in 1973, the company’s initial roots came from a devotion to running when its founder Vince Regan began taking runners to the NYC Marathon. In the early 2000s, the company embraced international cycling events and triathlon competitions, sports training camps and corporate hospitality as part of a way to involve more people in sporting activities. Sports Tours International provides sports lovers the opportunity to participate in sporting activities as well as provide active spectator for participants.

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