The Spring Classics: Cycling's Greatest One-Day Races

About this book

Cyclings spring races are always the most anticipated of the year not only because they herald the start of the season but also because they are brutally difficult and spectacularly unpredictable. Known as the Spring Classics these one-day races test cyclings toughest riders with the worst conditions imaginablesucking mud choking dust leg-numbing sleet fanatic spectators and Europes narrowest most bone-grinding country roads. Clattering through agrarian hamlets on routes established a century ago the Spring Classics celebrate cyclings most glorious and meaningful history. Riders that perform well amidst the intensity of these one-day races are acclaimed as cyclings hard men. The Spring Classics delves into the stories of Milan-San Remo Ghent-Wevelgem the Tour of Flanders Paris-Roubaix the Amstel Gold Race La Flche Wallone and Lige-Bastogne-Lige through hundreds of rare and restored photographs presented in a lavish format. With authoritative text from cyclings expert sportswriters The Spring Classics commemorates the riders traditions and secrets of cyclings greatest one-day contests.