With four wins in the Amstel Gold Race and a world championship in Valkenburg, Philippe Gilbert can rightfully be called Mister Cauberg. This title is further celebrated with the all-new Philippe Gilbert Cauberg Classic. On Saturday, September 7, you can join this sportive ride that offers something for everyone, including the famous Cauberg. We were eager to explore the route and have already done so. Plus, we offer discounted entry tickets.
AnneMarie Bos and I hadn't seen each other in a long time. On this bright Thursday, we meet in downtown Valkenburg for the official Philippe Gilbert Cauberg Classic course reconnaissance. Since the start is atop the Cauberg, we have to climb it before the reconnaissance has even properly begun. The route looks beautiful, and that's exactly what we're here for.
Photo: enjoying on a bright day.
The format of the PGCC is special. Four loops have been created that participants can ride as they choose. A sportive tour à la carte. The start and finish of each loop is at Landal Kasteeldomein de Cauberg. This is also where the feed stations are located. The great thing about this concept is that you can decide during the day whether to ride an extra lap or skip one. Of course, Phil himself rides along.
There is a choice of the following loops, each with its own character:
We want to see as much of the tour as possible and decide on the following route: Double loop, Castle loop, Flat loop. We do the toughest first, because we know: this is not going to be a walk in the park.
The double loop is truly a classic route with all the famous Limburg climbs. Via the Geulhemmerberg and the Bemelerberg, we glide through the Heuvelland. Of course, the Loorberg is not missing, and after the fast descent towards Epen, the roof of the loop awaits: the Camerig. This climb under the full sun remains a pleasure to tackle. After a short stop in Mechelen, we start on the Schweiberg, another one of those gems.
Photo: on the Gulperberg, the calves are really tested for the first time.
Despite the many meters of elevation, the first sixty kilometers were fairly relaxed. In Gulpen, however, things get serious with the classic kilometers of the Amstel Gold Race. On the Gulperberg, the calves are really tested for the first time, and this continues on the Kruisberg. Then follows the Eyserbosweg, perhaps the most difficult climb in the Netherlands. On Fromberg, you can blast your way up or enjoy the scenery at a leisurely pace. We choose the latter. The Keutenberg is and remains a challenge. After we have conquered it, we ride back to Valkenburg via the plateau, where the Cauberg awaits to conclude the loop.
Photo: the Keutenberg is and remains a challenge.
The Castles Loop is completely different from the Double Loop. The route leads from Valkenburg to the northeast. It is not as difficult as earlier in the day, but it never gets flat. In Schinnen, we are surprised with a route through a beautiful park. It takes a while before a castle actually appears (or did we not pay attention?). Eventually, we pass Hoensbroek Castle and Terworm Castle, among others.
Photo: Hoensbroek Castle.
At Schin op Geul, AnneMarie suddenly says, "We're wrong, the road stops." But nothing could be further from the truth. I say, "We just have to open the gate and we're going to gravel. How cool is that!" It's actually a narrow footpath. We consider the walkers and because we don't ride like idiots, they consider us. How simple can it be? Those who want to ride a surprising route are in luck. The trail ends in Valkenburg. Once again, we have to climb the Cauberg, for the third time today.
Photo: we are going to gravel. How cool is that!
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The legs don't feel as supple as they did this morning, but we decide to just ride the flat loop anyway. This one is west of Valkenburg. Except for a few kickers, the route is indeed flat. In Elsloo, however, the Maasberg, the famous cobblestone climb, awaits. The effort is short but powerful. Then we ride south between the Juliana Canal and the Meuse River. It is a kind of moorland landscape, really bizarrely beautiful.
Photo: a kind of moorland landscape between the Juliana Canal and the Maas.
Finally, we arrive in Maastricht. People are making progress, because the city is crossed by a kilometer-long and wide bicycle path. In fairness, it is strewn with gravel. Cyclists really need to be careful. Hopefully, that will be better by September. But a wide bike lane through the big city deserves to be emulated. Homage! For dessert, there is the climb to Berg en Terblijt, which continues for a long time until the finish.
This whole round of three loops is over 180 kilometers with 2000 meters of elevation. It was a great ride and a special concept. We highly recommend the Philippe Gilbert Cauberg Classic.
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After purchasing in the CycloWorld SHOP, you will immediately receive a discount code, which you can use to register free.
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