Ronde van Limburg builds further on European Cycling Championships
On Wednesday 16 April, for the first time, the Ronde van Limburg becomes part of the spring classics. That change is part of the legacy of the European Cycling Championships that took place in Limburg last year. The course still bears the signature of these Championships and, moreover, the collaboration with host cities Hasselt and Tongeren-Borgloon has been extended until 2029.
In 2025, the Ronde van Limburg is undergoing a shift on the international cycling calendar. The race will no longer take place on Whit Monday but, as from this year, will be part of the Flemish spring classics. That change is a consequence of the 2024 UEC Road European Championships organised in Limburg last season.
“The European Championships really delivered a boost in Limburg,” says Tomas Van Den Spiegel, CEO of Flanders Classics. “The residents of Limburg came out in large numbers, the province brought its cycling tourism to international attention and the province’s hills and cobblestones demonstrated their sporting value. The fact that the Ronde van Limburg will have a more prominent place on the calendar in 2025 is part of the legacy of that successful event. And, what’s more, it is a particularly nice addition to the Flanders Classics spring. With a spring race in every Flemish province, the circle is now complete.”
The success of the European Championships was a key factor in the decision to extend the collaborations with host cities Hasselt and Tongeren-Borgloon. Tomas Van Den Spiegel: “We are delighted that we have been able to build further on the strong foundations we have laid in recent years in Hasselt at the start and in Tongeren-Borgloon at the finish. We are adding an extra layer with the legacy of the European Championships. The Ronde van Limburg has more than earned its place in that Flemish spring.”
Mayor of Hasselt Steven Vandeput: “Hasselt is growing as a cycling city and the Ronde van Limburg is also gaining in importance and prestige. With the new date right in the middle of the busy cycling spring, Hasselt will once again be the centre of the cycling world for a little while. That will also be the case for the next five years as we will be the starting place until 2029. As a result, Hasselt confirms itself as a city where top sporting events have their place. We are very proud of that.”
Jo Feytons, Mayor of Tongeren-Borgloon: "The Ronde van Limburg is not only a major sporting event, but also a symbol of cooperation and solidarity. With the extension of our partnership for the next five years, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting cycling in our region. Together with the city of Tongeren-Borgloon, we look forward to a fantastic edition in 2025 and the many editions to come. We remain proud of the international exposure this race brings to our region and look forward to the many cycling heroes who will cross our roads."
Course
From Hasselt, the riders depart at 13:00 for a race of about 177 km through the Haspengouw fruit region. After the ascent of the Glinberg, the peloton heads towards the Tour Village of Bilzen-Hoeselt, where two local laps near Alden Biesen await. With two passages on the uphill cobblestones of the Maastrichterallee and the Keiberg, the spectators there will already have the chance to cheer on the riders at least twice.
From Bilzen-Hoeselt, it is off to Tongeren-Borgloon for a first passage at the finish. Following that, the finale commences with three laps of what, during the European Championships, was called the Limburg Loop. First come the climbs of the Kolmontberg and the Zammelenberg. The peloton then moves on to the cobblestones of Manshoven and then Op de Kriezel - passages where the wind could also play a part. That is the reverse order compared with the European Championships and the previous edition of the Ronde van Limburg.
After the cobblestones of Op de Kriezel, it is on to the finish via the undulating Romeinse Kassei. This year, the finish is no longer on the Eeuwfeestwal. The riders will be completing the race in the opposite direction with the finishing line on the sloping Elisabethwal. The race is expected to finish at around 17:20.
