2025 SPRING CLASSICS TOURS
Ultimate Spring Classics
11 Days
Location:
Belgium, France & Netherlands
Dates:
Day 0 Thurs 3rd, April [suggested arrival day]
Day 1: Fri 4th – Mon 14th April, 2025
Price:
Advanced Booking Deposit AUD $750 [approx conversion USD $500]
$750 – $8,650 AUD [approx conversion USD $5,600]
*Optional VIP area tickets are available for:
– VIP Area, Tour of Flanders Race Finish Marque
– VIP Area, Paris Roubaix Velodrome
4 Day Tour of Flanders
4 Day Weekend
Location:
Belgium
Date:
April 2025
Day 0 Thurs 3rd, April [suggested arrival day]
Day 1: Fri 4th – Mon 7th April, 2025
Price:
Advanced Booking Deposit $750 [approx conversion USD $500]
$750 – $3,450 AUD [approx conversion USD $2,300]
*Optional VIP area tickets are available for the Tour of Flanders Race, Finish line 5 Star Marque, includes non-stop food and beverage package, [recommended, non-inclusion].
The Best of Belgium & Netherlands
4 Day Week
Location:
Belgium & Netherlands
Dates:
Day 0: Sun 6th, April [suggested arrival day]
Day 1: Mon 7th April – Day 4: Thurs 10th April, 2025
Price:
Advanced Booking Deposit $750 [approx conversion USD $500]
$750 – $3,150 AUD [approx conversion USD $2,100]
4 Day Paris Roubaix
4 Day Weekend
Location:
France
Dates:
April 2025
Day 0 Thurs 10th, April [suggested arrival day]
Day 1: Fri 11th April – Day 4: Mon 14th April, 2025
Price:
Advanced Booking Deposit $750 [approx conversion USD $500]
$750 – $3,595 AUD [approx conversion USD $2,400]
*Optional VIP area tickets available are for Roubaix Velodrome, includes finish line seat, snack, beverage package & official gift [recommended upgrade, non-inclusion].
Paris Roubaix Day Tour
Location:
France
Date:
Sun 13th April, 2025
Includes
6am: Meet Team Hotel Lille, France
Vehicle transfer to Paris Roubaix race start, strategic cobble section viewpoint enroute, Tour also includes a lunch pack with Champagne, local wine, craft beer or cool drink. Experience the thrill of the race finish in the historic Roubaix Velodrome general admission area, and or upgrade to VIP Area – Ticket.
*Optional VIP area tickets are available for Roubaix Velodrome, includes finish line seating, snack, drinks package and official gift [recommended upgrade, non-inclusion].
Finish, Drop Off: Lille Train Station, France
Price:
$795 AUD
[approx USD $525, Euro €485, GBP £405]
OVERVIEW
Official tour operator of the 2025 Spring Classics
Once again we are Official Tour Operators of the Paris Roubaix Challenge. Join Ride International Tours to experience the 2025 Spring Classics, including the Tour of Flanders and Paris Roubaix races.
We offer a wide range of cycling, non-cycling and Self Guided tour options to the Spring Classics, choose from Day Tours, right up to our premier tour the Ultimate 11 Day Spring Classics Tour. We cater for a wide range of dates, tour lengths, budgets and experiences to suit you.
Our 11-Day, Ultimate Spring Classics Tour includes the best of everything the Spring Classics offers. The tour includes both the Tour of Flanders and Paris Roubaix 4 Day Weekend Tours, race days and sportifs, as well as our midweek Best of Belgium experience.
We’ll visit and ride the border regions of Belgium, Netherlands and Northern France. While in the region we attend a moving World War II memorial, as well as cycling Belgium’s iconic landmarks including: the Koppenberg, Kwaremont, Muur van Geraardsbergen and the Forrest of Arenberg.
If you’re after a shorter tour, we have broken down our 11-day Ultimate Spring Classics Tour into smaller modules so you can mix and match to suits your needs.
We ride two of the worlds best amateur Gran Fondo’s, the Tour of Flanders Sportif and the Paris Roubaix Challenge the day prior to each of the big races.
Both Spring Classics sportifs can be achieved by anyone, they are likely to be the best single days you are ever likely to spend on a bike. There’s a distance to suit everyone and we’ll coach you in the art/technique of riding these famous courses, you’re guaranteed to love it.
When we’re not at the races or riding the sportifs, we offer a unique tour where we ride more – transfer less and experience the many famous towns, villages and iconic cycling locations of the Spring Classics.
Our Spring Classics tour provides the ideal mix of “ride more – transfer less”.
The proximity of France, Belgium, Netherlands in this border region allows us to participate in the “must do” Tour of Flanders sportif and Paris – Roubaix Challenge. Plus midweek enjoy our “Best of Belgium” experience, it’s the ideal way to ride each day, recover and with plenty of time off the bike each day to explore our surrounds.
You’ll have your fill of riding, plus we’ll visit the Tour of Flanders Museum, the World War II Memorial at Menin Gate “The Last Post” to honour the fallen British and Commonwealth soldiers.
We’ll see different aspects of the Spring Classics races, including stage starts, midpoints, feed stations, stage finishes, mixed with a cultural, historic, culinary and beverage experience of Belgium, Netherlands and northern France.
April is a beautiful time to visit and ride the Spring Classics. The atmosphere, passion and knowledge of the fans at the races is unrivalled, the Belgium, Netherlands and northern France fans create an electric atmosphere. We’ll show you the smaller roads, ride the iconic Spring Classic climbs and roads, see famous monuments, picture postcard villages, beautiful cities and stay in lovely hotels.
There’s something endearing about riding a bike in Belgium, Netherlands and France, they are countries practically born and raised on two wheels. The terrain is almost purpose-built for cyclists and cycling is still regarded as each nation’s number one sport in Spring.
Each of our Spring Classics Itinerary’s provides a unique experience as the race routes change a little each year, you can count on riding many of the legendary routes made famous by the Spring and Ardennes Classics including: The Koppenberg, Kwaremont, Muur van Geraardsbergen and the Trouée d’Arenberg – Forrest of Arenberg just to name a few.
Our Spring Classics tour is led by our experienced team who’ve been hosting tours to these races for many years, we’ll get you up close and personal with the Pro riders, to experience the excitement of the incredible Spring Classics, the Tour of Flanders and Paris – Roubaix races. We know how to get the best out of your riding, Spring Classics experience, all in a safe, supported, team like environment.
This tour is perfect for passionate cyclists, cycling fans, non cyclist, non-cycling partners or people who’d like to do a bit of riding and race-watching. AUD $750 – Approx USD $550 (per person) reserves your spot for the 2025 Spring Classics.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Spring Classics in late March/April.
Ciao Pat, Grace and the Ride International Team
YOUR HOSTS
Pat Fitzpatrick
Director Sportiff
Having descended from a lineage of competitive cycling, Pat is a fourth generation of passionate cyclists. He has excelled in all disciplines of cycling including BMX, MTB: Downhill and Cross Country, Cyclo-cross, and Road racing. His varied background enables Pat to be a global leader in cycling skills coaching, coaching everyone from introductory riders to a current crop of professional cyclists. Pat loves sharing his love of cycling and all that it entails from beautiful secret roads to quaint little villages and local specialties. He also has a knack for locating the best coffee. Pat’s been hosting rides since 1994 and co-founded Ride International with wife Grace in 2007.
Rudy Rogiers
Co-tour Leader - Former Professional Cyclist
In the prime of his career Rudy was a Spring Classics and Tour de France specialist, he raced four editions of the TDF. With some top 10 placings, and some entertaining Mario Cippolini stories. He also raced in 1 Giro d’Italia too! What a legend , the most humble guy you will ever meet.When Rudy’s not working on tour with us, he divides his time with a Belgian professional cycling team - Top Sport Flanders [Vlaanderen].
Rudy has a long list of achievements on and off the bike, yet his 2nd place finish to Sean Kelly in the final sprint at the famously hard/wet 1984 Paris Roubaix is a big highlight.
Testament to Rudy’s nature, he works with the Top Sport Flanders team as they are considered a development team for up-and-coming Belgian riders. Rudy’s a man of many talents, he’s also a great bike mechanic and is the man to see if you have any mechanical issues.
Thiery Favre
Co-tour Leader, Alpine Expert
Thierry hails from Champery high up in the Porte du Soleil region of Switzerland. He’s the Swiss army knife of biking, he’s the director of the local biking club, which has grown rapidly including over 100 kids as members. Thierry’s wife and children are also part of the local bike club. Thierry’s hails from a passionate biking and outdoor family, he loves road cycling, mountain biking and adventuring in summer. For the winter months he then switches over to winter sports in the Porte du Soleil alpine region. Thierry is a coowner of a ski company, and is a professional ski guide and instructor. Thierry has a vast amount of experience guiding and hosting tours all over Europe, he’s worked with us for over 10 years including tours to the: Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, La Vuelta – Tour of Spain and many private groups tour for guests to enjoy the wonders of Switzerland and it’s majestic mountains, and lake regions.
Ben Norden
Cycling & Non-cycling Guide, Rider Support
Ben comes to us from Melbourne, Australia. Ben values the art of truly hearing others and understanding their perspectives. Through his experiences in cycling and engaging with diverse communities, Ben has honed his ability to connect with people from all walks of life, fostering genuine relationships and creating spaces where individuals can feel heard and valued. His dedication to strategy, health, and social planning is fueled by his passion for making a positive impact on the world around him. His most memorable achievement was clinching a podium spot in the B-grade category during a 3-day tour. He holds many fond memories of competing in Central Queensland races and taking part in the Terra Australis mountain bike stage race. Engaged in mountain biking, triathlons, and road racing for 25 years, he also enjoys cooking, planning adventures, studying, and delving into human behavior outside of cycling.
Antton Miettinen
Cycling & Non-cycling Guide, Rider Support
We are thrilled to welcome Antton to the Ride International team. He will be joining in this year's Tour de France and brings along a wealth of experience from the cycling world, having worked in the cycling tour industry since 2015. When he's not on tour, he resides in San Sebastian, Basque Country, Spain, where he enjoys being a home dad and pursuing his passion for photography. Antton values good company and has led a rewarding life filled with meaningful experiences.
Guido Gazinga
Co-tour Leader
After indulging the cobbles and surprising us with his magical Italian driving skills at our Spring Classics, Guido rejoins us on the Tour de France to indulge his interest and passion in World Tour cycling events. Guido comes from a very experienced and well-rounded background in cycling and cycling tours management along with his vast international experience. He’s a lover of gravel, a well-connected industry guy in the cycling tours world and Italian cycling community. He’s a Jack-of-all-trades: proficient in project management, communication, writing, editing, design, illustration, content management, Specializing in route design & trip planning, he straddles the divide between global and Italian markets. When not on the bike Guido holds a Master’s degree in Interior Design.
Stefaan Rogiers
Co-tour Leader
Stefaan has quickly become one of the key staff members of Ride International Tours and is a superb allrounder, on & off the bike. Stefaan is our European Operations Co-ordinator and designs many of our Itineraries. He comes from a super pedigree of cycling, it's in his blood & DNA, & something he's immensely proud of, yet he excelled in Belgian's biggest sport (soccer) as a professional footballer. Nickname (Off the bike) - El Capitan - working as a Captain/guide on the “Bootjes van Gent”, a company that offers tourist boat tours in Ghent. Nickname (On the bike) - Il Pipistrello “The Bat” Because of his unpredictable way of climbing. We also affectionately call him our “Thibaut Pinot”, as he's as fast up a big climb!
Ryland Mollard
Cycling & Non-cycling Guide, Rider Support
Ryland is a multi-talented individual who not only shines on stage during tours but is also a Judge's Associate by profession. When he's not performing with us, he transforms into a criterium racing machine, donning his lycra/spandex suit. Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Ryland is a true cycling enthusiast who has worked at bike stores, managed a pub, and served coffee as a barista, making him a respected figure in the cycling community. He is always ready to provide expert coffee recommendations during tours. Ryland's passion for cycling started when he was in high school, using it as a mode of transportation to and from rowing practice. He continued cycling in college and eventually started riding longer distances with his peers, eventually leading to his participation in races. Currently, Ryland is gearing up for bike packing, which he considers a new challenge. During tours, he enjoys supporting cycling and guests, savoring the slow pace of exploration, which provides the perfect balance between self-propelled adventure and the speed of a car. Ryland worked with us at this year's Tour Down Under and we’re pleased to have him on board for the Tour de France.
Nicolas Laclias
Cycling Guide
Nicolas is an experienced and charismatic guide, who brings a wealth of experience and passion to both on and off our tours. He is based in the south of France, in the stunning city of Nice, which also happens to be a cyclist's paradise. Prior to joining our team, Nicolas spent 20 years in the music industry, co-founding a digital music company. Nicolas’ job roles on tour include ‘"Stagiaire" Guide in Training, Super Domestique, Rider Support, Non-Cycling Guide, Driver and Guest Services Hotels - Restaurants Nicolas is also well-versed in the regions that we visit being a native frenchman.
Liz Nelson
Cycling & Non-cycling Guide, Rider Support
A relatively late bloomer in cycling, Liz is based in sunny Brisbane, Queensland, where she works as an exercise and sports scientist, coaching cycling and other related endurance sports. Liz provides evidence based programming and advice that helps people improve all aspects of their cycling. Liz’s cycling background is diverse, having competed in all facets of road racing, from local criteriums and road racing through to individual time trials - the ‘race of truth’ being her preferred event! Liz has also participated in mass cycling events, gran fondos and stage tours. Liz is also a fan of the gym and shares her lifting adventures on social media. With her wide range of skills, Liz is well-equipped to support guests on tour, regardless of fitness level or riding experience. Liz also has a health professional background, working as a pharmacist in a previous life. However, she found this a bit dull and prefers to showcase her talents as a “prawn peeler extraordinaire”. Perhaps we’ll have the chance to test this unique talent out during our tour as there are plenty of fresh seafood places to enjoy! Liz has joined us for the Tour Down Under and the Giro d’Italia this year, and we’re happy to see her with us again at the Tour de France. [10 Day Tour Team Member]
2025 SPRING CLASSICS BIKE HIRE
4 Day Bike Hire
Tour of Flanders
From $110 AUD [approx USD$70 per day]
4 Day Bike Hire
Paris Roubaix
From $110 AUD [approx USD$70 per day]
4 Day Bike Hire
Belgium & Netherlands
From $110 AUD [approx USD$70 per day]
11 Day Bike Hire
Ultimate Spring Classics
From $100 AUD [approx USD $65 per day]
OUR GUEST REVIEWS
“Amazing experience on and off the bike, great guides and seamless planning got us around Belgium and northern France in a way we could never do on our own. Unforgettable epic spring classics riding experience, with the team providing the right level of options for everyone and fantastic rental bikes. Highly recommended!”
“After having to delay in previous years due to other factors it was finally great to join Pat and Grace for the Paris - Roubaix challenge. They were both quietly efficient, friendly and thorough in their attention to detail. They ensured that we all achieved what we wanted and no task was too difficult.”
“Ride International Tours is fantastic. Pat, Grace and the entire team are experienced, genuine, helpful, passionate and very good at what they do. My son Tyler and I had the trip of a lifetime, with experiences and memories that we are so thankful for. If you are interested in a cycling vacation, I could not recommend a company more that Ride International.”
“Having just been on the 2023 Spring Classics Tour, I can honestly say that Pat, Grace and the wider team deliver a professional and well-coordinated tour program which includes many great experiences both on and off the bike. Every day was made easy for us guests in terms of being made aware of timing, schedules, transport, and general support from the whole team such as bicycle preparation and on route fuel stops. Furthermore, one cannot underestimate the benefit the team at Ride International Tours delivers through their knowledge of routes, roads and places to ride so you can be confident you will take maximum advantage of your time in their company.
Ride International Tours - Well done and thanks.”
“We’d heard fantastic reviews of Ride International before embarking on our 10-day tour of the spring classics, and I can honestly say it still managed to exceed expectations.
From the transport and accommodation to the ride planning and event spectating, our tour had it all. Would highly recommend Pat, Grace and the team at RI to anybody considering an overseas cycling trip.”
“Pat is the bike skills whisperer!
We worked together closely to improve my dirt skills ahead of cyclocross World Cups and world championships. With his help I achieved the best cyclocross World Cup result and world ranking ever achieved by an Australian - no small feat for an ex roadie!”
“I often do one-on-one sessions with Pat to continuously improve my technical skills for World Tour racing. He has a magic way of breaking things down so that they become achievable.
We often work on race specific technique like riding cobbles, cornering, and hill climbing, but he also throws in some fun tricks along the way.
I always leave feeling confident in my abilities and having had a really fun ride.”
“Thanks very much for a highly enjoyable and excellently run tour. You and your team certainly exceeded my expectations, not only with the rides but local knowledge which helped make life simple.”
“It is the small things that you guys do behind the scenes that makes all the difference. It was an amazing experience to ride in Italy and experience the Giro first hand. Thanks again and looking forward to the next tour.”
“Both Pat and Grace have excellent people skills, they build relationships quickly, they were always well organised with itineraries or plans for the day re weather, road changes, or unexpected issues that arose. Hard work from them made our tour of two weeks a dream holiday along with all the extra drama of the biggest cycling race in the world.”
“I first met Pat and Grace on a cycling tour in Europe in 2013. Pat and Grace make the perfect team to run these types of tours, both are friendly, bubbly and outgoing in their personalities and each bring their own invaluable skills to touring with a group.”
“Wow, two of the greatest tour guides I know. Knowledgeable, multilingual, always helpful, a great team to handle your once in a life time tour. I’ve done at least 4 two-week cycle tours with one or both of this husband wife team. Every one has been extraordinary. You will not go wrong with one of these two as your tour coordinators.”
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ABOUT US
We are a passionate family business that prides itself on hosting exceptional cycling vacations since 2007.
Whether it’s your first time cycling abroad, or you’re an experienced rouleur, our team takes care of all the details on and off the bike to create wonderful travel experiences.
