Tour of Flanders 2018

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Dates & Prices
Itinerary
FAQ
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The Le Domestique Experience summed up in one weekend. A small group of fellow riders, transfers from the UK in our bespoke support vehicles via Eurotunnel, a fantastic hotel located in Ghent, entry into your choice of 74km, 138km, 173km and 232km routes, superb sportive support and an incredible race day experience, riding between cobbled sectors guided by one of our local experts who grew up on the cobbles and bergs of Flanders.

Our guests had an incredible time in 2017, staying in the centre of Gent, eating at the world famous De Abt restaurant, completing a choice of distances with two dedicated private support stations and being guided by our local resident guides through the back lanes on the day of the pro race to catch the men’s and women’s race on five key sectors of cobbles, including the Oude Kwaremont.

Known locally as the Ronde van Vlaanderen or De Ronde, the Tour of Flanders forms one of the five “Monuments” of the cycling calendar, owing to the brutal cobbled climbs that define this Spring Classic. Offering the ultimate test of both professional and amateur, the Tour of Flanders offers a unique experience, with Le Domestique Tours proud to present our two night Tour of Flanders 2018 package, combining the amateur Tour of Flanders 2018 sportive on Saturday 31 March 2018 with the men and women professional races on Sunday 1 April 2018, to make the perfect weekend for a hardcore cyclist.

Focussing on the 141km and 75km routes allows riders to enjoy the very essence of Flanders, without the filler miles and painfully early start associated with the longer route options. Whichever route riders opt for, they can be sure of one thing – cobbled climbs that push everyone to their limits and beyond. From the iconic Oude Kwaremont, to the near vertical 22% of the Koppenberg, via the decisive climb in so many Ronde’s in the past, the Paterberg, the Tour of Flanders is steeped in unique challenges. The flawless support of the Le Domestique Tours team provides our riders with everything they need to survive this epic ride – a private feed stop, mechanical support and a private broom wagon service.

The 2018 edition of the Ronde van Vlaanderen, debuts with a relatively sedate start, that gives way to the cobbles and bergs Flanders is known for as riders close in on the race’s epicentre in Oudenaarde. Few things show the professionals as human better than the Koppenberg and Paterberg, where even the finest bike riders in the world are reduced to pedalling squares in a desperate quest to reach the top.

With one of the greatest race day experiences it is possible to have in 2018, our riders witnessed the men’s and women’s race numerous times as they were guided around the Flanders countryside by our very own local guide, riding between sectors of cobbles, an experience nobody else can offer. We can guarantee one thing – we’ll be there on the side of the road, ready to see the action unfold, with front row seats to the Tour of Flanders 2018.

Le Domestique Tours – Let us be your Domestique

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Dates & Prices

30 Mar - 1 Apr 2018 2 Nights - Twin Share £649pp - Inc Entry BOOK NOW

30 Mar - 1 Apr 2018 2 Nights - Twin Share £599pp - Exc Entry BOOK NOW

30 Mar - 1 Apr 2018 2 Nights - Solo Occ £749pp - Inc Entry BOOK NOW

30 Mar - 1 Apr 2018 2 Nights - Solo Occ £699pp - Exc Entry BOOK NOW

Private Groups 2-4 Night Packages Available Please Enquire BOOK NOW

Itinerary

30 March - Meet LDT Team in UK and Transfer to Ghent

Meeting your LDT crew at our collection point in Maidstone at 9.15am or Ashford International Surface D Car Park at 10.15am, we'll transfer to our hotel in Ghent, via a Eurotunnel Channel crossing. Following arrival you will be accompanied to the race sign on, where you can obtain your race pack, peruse the new for 2016 Tour of Flanders museum and visitor's centre and purchase any last minute equipment or supplies. Le Domestique's professional guides ensure your bikes are safely packed and transported, using high quality wheel bags and our bespoke built internal bike racking - offering the complete antithesis to the coaches and trailers used by other operators. We'll enjoy a good wholesome meal and an early night, ahead of the Sportive and an early start for the morning.

31 March - Tour of Flanders 2018

Rising early on the Saturday morning, no doubt full of nerves and apprehension. You'll enjoy a quality breakfast, before groups are transferred to their respective start lines. With the Cobbles and pain awaiting, the LDT support crew won't be far from you all day long, providing feed station support on the route, mechanical and moral support. All while making sure your able to finish the sportive and enjoy those beers with your mates afterwards.

TOUR OF FLANDERS SPORTIVE

1 April - Tour of Flanders Pro Race and Return to UK

Riders will be spoilt for choice today with a range of spectating options available for both the mens and the women race. Will you set up on one of the key climbs, or join us as we travel between sectors on the back roads following the expert advice of our local guides. On conclusion of the race we will return to the Channel Tunnel for approximately 8pm, returning to our meeting point for approximately 8.30pm GMT.

TOUR OF FLANDERS PRO RACE

FAQ

What's Included?
- Accommodation on a twin share basis (unless solo occupancy is selected) at our 3* hotel in Ghent.
- Sportive Entry to your choice of 143km or 75km route.
- Full Tour of Flanders sportive race support including our private feed station stocked with a range of nutrition products, Torq Nutrition energy gels, drink powders and Coca Cola. Non-riding members of the group are free to accompany the guides during the course of the sportive to cheer and spectate.
- Private transfers from/to our meet up location at Maidstone, including Channel crossing via Eurotunnel.
- Three course evening meals on the nights of 30 and 31 March.
- Breakfasts supplemented with our own specially designed muesli mixes and porridge pots to ensure you are properly fuelled.
- An itinerary designed in consultation with the group to ensure that you witness the key sections of the professional race, with our local guide riding with you between sectors to provide a truly unrivalled experience.
- A dedicated point of contact from first enquiry through to the completion of your tour who will manage every aspect of your tour including coordinating the logistics for joining riders etc etc.
- Digital album of photography documenting your experience.
- Full Package Travel Regulation compliance which ensures that any funds paid by yourselves are fully protected in the highly unlikely event that Le Domestique Limited enters insolvency.
What's not included?
- Personal travel insurance.
- Alcohol.
- Incidental purchases.
- Rental Bikes.
The Tour of Flanders Experience with Le Domestique Tours

In 2017 our guests had an incredible experience, joining us from the UK, New Zealand and America to experience the unique atmosphere that the Tour of Flanders offers. Travelling in a small group provides us with the opportunity to allow guests to get a completely unrivalled experience, riding between the cobbles of the pro race, together with receiving a far more personal service during the sportive.
What kit and equipment do I need?
The big questions when it comes to the Tour of Flanders 2017… No choice is truly fool proof however we do have the following advice:
- Simple is best – the Tour of Flanders is not the place to ride your super lightweight wheel set or anything that you are particularly precious about getting scratched, stone chipped or dirty. Instead opt for bullet proof equipment with plenty of strength like traditional alloy rimmed wheels.
- Comfy shorts – this almost goes without saying, but wear your comfiest pair of shorts on the day and make sure you use a good quality chamois cream to combat the endless impacts of the cobbles.
- Suspension – while the Team Sky suspension equipped Pinarellos are a little beyond the means of most riders, you can improve the comfort level of your bike by opting for 28mm tyres (or as wide as your frame will allow building in some margin for error from mud).
- Bar tape and saddles – double wrapping bar tape is a well known tactic, which if done correctly can make a big difference to comfort, however we have seen riders with bar tape unwrapping as they ride, so make sure you know what you are doing before trying this tactic.
- Ass Saver – full guards are asking for trouble on the cobbles, but an Ass Saver is the perfect piece of kit for keeping your backside isolated from the worst of the mud and spray when the weather turns bad.