The Classics are cycling’s biggest one day races, and for the most part take place in northern Europe in the spring. Known by a number of names – Spring Classics, the cobbled Classics, the northern Classics or simply the Classics – for many fans and riders alike these races are the best time of the year, in cycling and in life.
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What actually are the Classics?
There is often debate over what should and shouldn’t be counted as a Classic, but for the purposes of this guide we are including everything from the five Monuments down to the semi-Classics ridden by the top level WorldTour teams. Pretty much anything that brings the Classics specialists to the fore or those races ridden in the lead-up to the headline events falls under our Classics umbrella. That’s not to say every race on the calendar will get more than a passing mention.
One-day races are all or nothing and are all the better for it.
All the information about the 2025 Classics will be added and amended below as it becomes available. Also a reminder that Eurosport will close down in the UK from 28th February 2025 onward. Live cycling will be available on TNT Sports for £30.99 a month as part of a premium package.
Guide to the 2025 Classics: The key races, distances, previous winner and Classics live TV guide
Details are subject to change as information from race organisers and broadcasters becomes available
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
Cobbled Classic
When: Saturday 1st March 2025
Where: Belgium
Distance: Men’s 197km / Women’s 137.9km
Most wins: Three – Joseph Bruyère, Ernest Sterckx, Peter Van Petegem / Two – Suzanne de Goede, Emma Johansson, Anna van der Breggen, Annemiek van Vleuten
Live TV coverage: TNT Sports (UK and Ireland), FloBikes (USA and Canada), Staylive (Rest of world, check countries here – men’s live, women’s replay only)
2024 winners: Jan Tratink (Visma-Lease a Bike), Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike)
- Read more: Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2025 preview: Routes, favourites, how to watch and start lists
- Read more: Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2024 tech gallery: Van Aert’s Cervélo Soloist, 30mm tyres, Lidl-Trek on tubs?
Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne (men)
Cobbled Classic
When: Sunday 2nd March 2025
Where: Belgium
Distance: 196.9km
Most wins: Three – Tom Boonen
Live TV coverage: TNT Sports (UK and Ireland), Max (USA), FloBikes (USA and Canada), Staylive (Rest of world, check countries here)
2024 winner: Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike)
Ename Samyn Classic
Cobbled Classic
When: Tuesday 4th March 2025
Where: Belgium
Distance: Men’s 199.1km / Women’s TBC
Most wins: Three – Johan Capiot / Three – Chantal van den Broek-Blaak
Live TV coverage: TNT Sports (UK and Ireland), Max (USA)
2024 winners: Laurens Rex (Intermarché-Wanty), Vittoria Guazzini (FDJ-Suez)
Strade Bianche
Gravel Classic
When: Saturday 8th March 2025
Where: Tuscany, Italy
Distance: Men’s 213km / Women’s 136km
Most wins: Three – Fabian Cancellara / Two – Annemiek van Vleuten, Lotte Kopecky
Live TV coverage: TNT Sports (UK and Ireland), Max (USA), FloBikes (USA and Canada), SBS (Australia), Staylive (Rest of world, check countries here – men's live, women's replay only)
2024 winners: Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates), Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime)
- Read more: Strade Bianche 2024 gallery: Pain faces of a dusty spring classic
- Read more: Strade Bianche 2024 tech gallery: Bikes of the Women’s WorldTour
Trofeo Alfredo Binda-Comune di Cittiglio (women)
When: Sunday 16th March 2025
Where: Italy
Distance: TBC
Most wins: Marianne Vos, Maria Canins (four)
Live TV coverage: TNT Sports (UK and Ireland), Max (USA), FloBikes (USA and Canada), Staylive (Rest of world, check countries here – replay only)
2024 winner: Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek)
Milan-San Remo
Monument
When: Saturday 22nd March 2025
Where: Italy
Distance: Men's 289km / Women's TBC
Most wins: Seven – Eddy Merckx
Live TV coverage: TNT Sports (UK and Ireland), Max (USA), FloBikes (USA and Canada), Staylive (Rest of world, check countries here – men's live, women's replay only)
2024 winner: Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck)
- Read more: A day in history: The epic 2013 Milan-San Remo
- Read more: Women’s Milan-San Remo to make long-awaited return in 2025
Brugge-De Panne
Cobbled Classic
When: Men's – Wednesday 26th March 2025 / Women's – Thursday 27th March 2025
Where: Belgium
Distance: Men’s TBC / Women’s TBC
Most wins: Five – Eric Vanderaerden
Live TV coverage: TNT Sports (UK and Ireland), Max (USA), FloBikes (USA and Canada – men's race only), Staylive (Rest of world, check countries here – men's live, women's replay only)
2024 winners: Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek)
E3 Saxo Bank Classic
Cobbled Classic
When: Friday 28th March 2025
Where: Harelbeke, Belgium
Distance: 208km
Most wins: Five – Tom Boonen
Live TV coverage: TNT Sports (UK and Ireland), Max (USA), FloBikes (USA and Canada), Staylive (Rest of world, check countries here)
2024 winner: Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck)
Gent-Wevelgem
Cobbled Classic
When: Sunday 30th March 2025
Where: Belgium
Distance: Men’s 250.3km / Women’s 169.1km
Most wins: Three – Robert Van Eenaeme, Rik Van Looy, Eddy Merckx, Mario Cipollini, Tom Boonen, Peter Sagan / Two – Kirsten Wild
Live TV coverage: TNT Sports (UK and Ireland), FloBikes (USA and Canada), SBS (Australia), Staylive (Rest of world, check countries here – men's live, women's replay only)
2024 winners: Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime)
Dwars door Vlaanderen
Cobbled Classic
When: Wednesday 2nd April 2025
Where: Belgium
Distance: Men’s 184.2km / Women’s 128.5km
Most wins: Two each – 14 male riders / Three – Amy Pieters
Live TV coverage: TNT Sports (UK and Ireland), FloBikes (USA and Canada), Staylive (Rest of world, check countries here – men's live, women's replay only)
2024 winners: Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike), Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike)
Tour of Flanders
Monument / Cobbled Classic
When: Sunday 6th April 2025
Where: Belgium
Distance: Men’s 268.9km / Women’s 168.8km
Most wins: Three – Achiel Buysse, Fiorenzo Magni, Eric Leman, Johan Museeuw, Tom Boonen, Fabian Cancellara, Mathieu van der Poel / Two – Mirjam Melchers-van Poppel, Judith Arndt, Annemiek van Vleuten, Lotte Kopecky, Elisa Longo Borghini
Live TV coverage: TNT Sports (UK and Ireland), FloBikes (USA and Canada), SBS (Australia), Staylive (Rest of world, check countries here – men's live, women's replay only)
2024 winners: Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek)
- Read more: The best cobbled climbs in Flanders
- Read more: Tour of Flanders 2024 gallery: Koppenbergcross spring edition
- Read more: Tour of Flanders 2024 tech gallery: Eddy Merckx returns and carbon chainrings
Scheldeprijs
Cobbled Classic
When: Wednesday 9th April 2025
Where: Belgium
Distance: Men’s 205.2km / Women’s 130.3km
Most wins: Four – Marcel Kittel / Two – Lorena Wiebes
Live TV coverage: TNT Sports (UK and Ireland), FloBikes (USA and Canada), Staylive (Rest of world, check countries here – men's live, women's replay only)
2024 winners: Tim Merlier (Soudal-QuickStep), Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime)
Paris-Roubaix
Monument / Cobbled Classic
When: Women's – Saturday 12th April / Men's – Sunday 13th April 2024
Where: Denain to Roubaix, France
Distance: Women's 148.5km / Men's 259.2km
Paris-Roubaix 2023 winners: Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Alison Jackson (EF Education-Tibco-SVB)
Most wins: Four – Roger De Vlaeminck, Tom Boonen / One – Lizzie Deignan, Elisa Longo Borghini
Live TV coverage: TNT Sports (UK and Ireland), FloBikes (USA and Canada), SBS (Australia)
2024 winners: Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime)
- Read more: Where Paris-Roubaix 2024 will be decided, part 1: The Arenberg Forest
- Read more: Where Paris-Roubaix 2024 will be decided, part 2: Mons-en-Pévèle
- Read more: Where Paris-Roubaix 2024 will be decided, part 3: Carrefour de l’Arbre
- Read more: Where Paris-Roubaix 2024 will be decided, part 4: Roubaix Velodrome
Brabantse Pijl
When: Friday 18th April 2025
Where: Belgium
Distance: Men’s 175.4km / Women’s 138.5km
Most wins: Four – Edwig Van Hooydonck / Seven different winners in eight editions of the women's race
Live TV coverage: TNT Sports (UK and Ireland), FloBikes (USA and Canada), Staylive (Rest of world, check countries here – men's live, women's replay only)
2024 winners: Benoît Cosnefroy (Decathlon-AG2R), Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek)
Amstel Gold
Ardennes Classic
When: Sunday 20th April 2025
Where: Netherlands
Distance: Men’s TBC / Women’s TBC
Most wins: Five – Jan Raas / Two - Marianne Vos
Live TV coverage: TNT Sports (UK and Ireland), FloBikes (USA and Canada), SBS (Australia), Staylive (Rest of world, check countries here – men's live, women's replay only)
2024 winners: Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers), Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike)
Flèche Wallonne
Ardennes Classic
When: Wednesday 23rd April 2025
Where: Belgium
Distance: Men’s 205.2km / Women’s 140.7km
Most wins: Five – Alejandro Valverde / Seven – Anna van der Breggen
Live TV coverage: TNT Sports (UK and Ireland), FloBikes (USA and Canada), SBS (Australia)
2024 winners: Stevie Williams (Israel-Premier Tech), Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM)
- Read more: La Flèche Wallonne 2024: Routes, how to watch, start list and everything you need to know
- Read more: How to watch La Flèche Wallonne
Liège-Bastogne-Liège
Monument / Ardennes Classic
When: Sunday 27th April 2024
Where: Liège to Bastogne and back to Liège, Belgium
Distance: Men’s 252km / Women’s 152.9km
Most wins: Five – Eddy Merckx / Two – Anna van der Breggen, Annemiek van Vleuten
Live TV coverage: TNT Sports (UK and Ireland), FloBikes (USA and Canada)
2024 winners: Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates), Grace Brown (FDJ-Suez), SBS (Australia)
Tro-Bro Léon (men)
When: Sunday 11th May 2025
Where: Brittany, France
Distance: 203,6km
Most wins: Three – Philippe Dalibard
Live TV coverage: TNT Sports (UK and Ireland), Max (USA), Staylive (Rest of world, check countries here – men's live, women's replay only)
2024 winner: Arnaud De Lie (Lotto-Dstny)
Il Lombardia (men)
Monument
When: Saturday 11th October 2025
Where: Lombardy region, Italy
Distance: TBC
Most wins: Five – Fausto Coppi
Live TV coverage: TNT Sports (UK and Ireland), Max (USA), Staylive (Rest of world, check countries here)
2024 winner: Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates)
Guide to the Classics: The Monuments
The Monument Classics are the five biggest one-day races on the calendar. They take place in three different countries, over cobbles, up and down climbs and often in the foulest of weather conditions. Alone of the five is Il Lombardia, which takes place in the autumn and after all three of cycling's Grand Tours.
The Monuments are cycling's oldest one-day races. Liège-Bastogne-Liège is the oldest of the five races as it was first run in 1892, and has been named La Doyenne (‘The Old Lady’) to reflect that. The event comes after the cobbled races and is better suited to a tactically astute stage racer who has brought their climbing legs.
Milan-San Remo is the first Monument of the year and is most noted for its length as riders cover around 300km. Some short, sharp climbs towards the end including the ascents of the Cipressa and Poggio make this one for the puncheurs and the punchier sprinters, but it still carries the nickname The Sprinters’ Classic.
The Tour of Flanders takes riders over the cobbles and bergs of Belgium’s Flemish north. One for the all-out Classics specialists, De Ronde is a huge draw for fans wanting to see the best riders giving it their all on the hellingen on their way to the finish line.
Paris-Roubaix, rightly named the Queen of the Classics and the Hell of the North, is a truly gruelling day out for the riders but an incredible spectacle for fans – both on the side of the road or watching at home on the television.
Guide to the Classics: The Cobbled Classics
The aforementioned Tour of Flanders – known locally as De Ronde van Vlaanderen – and Paris-Roubaix are chief among the cobbled Classics, but they are by no means the only pavé-strewn races. In fact, many of the smaller Belgian races go over many of the same secteurs from race to race, including those used in De Ronde.
The four 'cobbled classics' are E3 Saxo Bank Classic, Gent-Wevelgem, Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. Only Tom Boonen in the men's peloton holds the title of being the first, and only, rider to win all four races in one season (2012). Like ice when wet and almost as slippery when dusty, cobbles can be hard to negotiate at the best of times let alone in a fast-moving pack of jostling riders.
Guide to the Classics: The Ardennes Classics
There are three Ardennes Classics, although one of them is actually in the Dutch Limburg region. The Dutch event comes first in the shape of the Amstel Gold Race, followed by La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, a Monument.
The three races now take place over an eight-day period and tend to fall later in April, after the cobbled Classics. Due to the hilly terrain covered by the three races, previous victors include Tour de France overall winners, puncheurs and top domestiques.
As of 2017, the women's peloton also has its trio of races for the Ardennes Classics. Anna van der Breggen won all three in the first season, Demi Vollering did the same in 2023.
- For more on the Classics, head to our hub page.
