Block out your calendars for this one people. After the Dangarsleigh Bianche and some quite incredible early season classics racing in the Thunderbolt Roubaix last weekend, we will turn our attention to the New England Ardennes region on Saturday 28th April for La Flèche Dangarsleigh, complete with iconic finish atop the Mur de Mihi.

Ordinarily this event is sandwiched between the Amstel Gold Race and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, however, to provide Alejandro Valverde and other overseas professional riders the opportunity to travel and compete in this stellar contest, we have deferred the start date by an extra ten days.

Commencing from Kingdom Hall on the Dangarsleigh Road, this early season one-day race pits riders against a collection of short but steep climbs, including the brutal Côte de Powerlines which they have to approach from both sides as part of the challenging out and back course. However the race is really known for one thing – the iconic steep slopes of the Mur de Mihi, the intimidating sight of which greets riders as they steadily climb up from Salisbury Waters. The demanding gradient practically guarantees that only an elite uphill specialist can cross the Flèche Dangarsleigh finish line first, or can they?

The Route

This event will be run as a handicap race. Riders will commence from the usual Dangarsleigh Rd start point on the edge of town at 2:30pm, however after 7.5km at the Monument they will return back to the start point before turning once more and heading straight out to the hill-top finish on the Mur. Rider will then roll the 19km back to town as a group.

Bourkey is on sign duty that day but if club members who are not racing are able to assist at Turn 1 and Turn 2 that would be much appreciated by all. Please let Dene know if you’re able to help.