- Cobbled classics
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Cobblestones, like mountaineous terrain, are decisive elements[citation needed] in courses of cycling. Many classic cycle races in northwestern Europe contain cobbled sections. The two classics[citation needed] of this race type are the Ronde van Vlaanderen and Paris–Roubaix, with over 20 cobbled sectors. The first semi-classic with cobbled sections is Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, which traditionally opens the Belgian classics season, followed the next day by Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne.
Starting late March, the Vlaamse Wielerweek (Flemish cycling week) kicks off the most important period for cobbled cycling classics. This multi-day event includes the semi-classic Dwars door Vlaanderen, the stage-race Driedaagse van De Panne and finally the highlight of the Flemish cycling year, the Monumental Ronde van Vlaanderen. These events are followed by yet another semi-classic on Flemish roads, Gent–Wevelgem (a UCI ProTour event), the historical Paris–Roubaix (another Monument) and lastly, the one day race Grote Scheldeprijs.
Among the cobbled cycling races the three most prestigious[citation needed] are usually held within a 8-day timeframe in early April: the Ronde on Sunday, Gent–Wevelgem on Wednesday followed by "L'Enfer du Nord", Paris–Roubaix.
In 1962 Belgian rider Rik van Looy won the treble.
Overview
Race Country Start Finish Cobbled sections Winner 2010 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Belgium Ghent Ghent 7 Juan Antonio Flecha Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne Belgium Kuurne Kuurne 8 Bobbie Traksel Le Samyn Belgium Frameries Dour Jens Keukeleire Nokere Koerse Belgium Oudenaarde Nokere Jens Keukeleire Dwars door Vlaanderen Belgium Roeselaere Waregem 11 Matti Breschel E3 Prijs Vlaanderen Belgium Harelbeke Harelbeke 13 Fabian Cancellara Gent–Wevelgem Belgium Deinze Wevelgem 4 Bernhard Eisel Driedaagse De Panne - Stage 1 Belgium Middelkerke Zottegem David Millar Ronde van Vlaanderen Belgium Brugge Meerbeke 28 Fabian Cancellara Grote Scheldeprijs Belgium Antwerp Schoten 3 Tyler Farrar Paris–Roubaix France Compiègne Roubaix 27 Fabian Cancellara Vlaamse Druivenkoers Belgium Overijse Overijse Björn Leukemans Schaal Sels-Merksem Belgium Merksem Merksem 19 Aidis Kruopis Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen Belgium Koolskamp Koolskamp Leigh Howard See also
- Ardennes classics
- Monuments
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