Vélomédiane Claudy Criquiélion 2023

Participate in the first Belgian Cyclosportive on your road bike! In beautiful La Roche-en-Ardenne, we offer a challenging weekend with super beautiful tours in the area and on Saturday participation in the Vélomédiane Claudy Criquiélion 2023. This tour is part of the CycloWorld Travel Series!

Participation in the 2023 Vélomédiane Claudy Criquiélion:

The VELOMEDIANE is a sporting event, open to all cycling enthusiasts aged 18 and over.

The tour has always taken place under the sponsorship of the sadly deceased rider CLAUDE CRIQUIELION and enjoys the support of the city of La Roche-en-Ardenne, of the FCWB (Fédération Cycliste Wallonie Bruxelles) and the U.C.I. (Union Cycliste Internationale). The route takes in the roads of the beautiful region of the Ourthe and Aisne rivers in the Belgian Ardennes.

The Vélomédiane Criquiélion, which as usual takes place in our town of La Roche-en-Ardenne, has a new challenge for you!

Due to a new Belgian royal decree, which stipulates that cycling events on the road can no longer take place without closing off traffic, we had to adapt our formula. And we succeeded :-).

Don't worry, the routes may still be cycled, but there will be no more mass start and no ranking (only on your diploma).

We made numerous adjustments to the routes, with the climbs that made the event famous: the Wall of the Vélomédiane (Maboge), La Haussire (toughest climb in Belgium), the climb of Roche à Frêne, the Col du Rideux Noord, the climb of Beffe.

The arrival is at the Rue de Harzée in La Roche-en-Ardenne.

There is medical assistance is provided by the Lux Rescue Team. Mechanical assistance is also available: parts are billed, labor is free.

Our Follow car not allowed on the course of the event on August 27, on Sunday we will just drive the follow car again.

After registering, you will receive a handlebar plate and route sheet from us at the event.

Last minute registrations can still be done on the spot with a surcharge of €5. The last minute registrations can still be done on Friday, August 26 from 18:00 to 21:00 or on Saturday, August 27 from 7:00.

We offer 4 different formulas:

1-The Vélomédiane of 169kms (yellow arrows)3500m altitude difference

Participation fees: included in this package including insurance (+5€ when registering on the spot)

2-The Vélomédiane of 133kms 3500m altitude difference :new(yellow and blue arrows) follow the yellow arrows and take the blue ones when they appear

Participation fees: included in this package including insurance (+5€ when registering on the spot)

For both distances: no mass start but free departure, in the pedestrian street of La Roche, under the start gate: between 9.15 and 10.30 am.

Tour with time measurement, with no ranking (except on your diploma)

Your time will be displayed in alphabetical order and participants must scrupulously respect the applicable road code (the police have the right to fine reported violations). Signalmen will be present for assistance in traffic.

3-La Petite Crique-Ardennes Etape of 93 km 1800m altitude difference

Participation fees: included in this package including insurance (+5€ when registering on the spot)

Departure time: between 10.00 and 11.00 am

4-The Challenge (Le Défi) 1800m altitude difference

The Challenge / Le Défi is a real race of 69 km and +. The road is closed and there will be police and signalmen at the intersections. The route is part of the Vélomédiane route

The number of participants is limited to 175 all categories

Departure at 09:00 (male/female)

This course is reserved for cyclists who have won a gold medal in 2019 or 2021, or who hold a Belgian or foreign race license. It is mandatory to bring this proof with you when registering, otherwise you will not be able to participate in the challenge.

Once the finish line has been crossed, at the top of the "Wall of the Velomédiane", the riders can continue the Vélomédiane routes (133km or 169km), but just in tour mode with time registration.

Registration via SQM Time

Departure: pedestrian street in the center of La Roche at 09:00

Saturday's event includes for all tours:

• - large supply stations with Wcup, cookies, fruit, water, etc..
• - Technical support and roadside assistance
• - 1 free t-shirt
• - Free parking
• - Medical assistance at departure/arrival + emergency service
• - Insurance (helmet required)
• - Signallers in the start and arrival area
• - A signposted route with clear arrows
• - A steering plate and a back number as a souvenir
• - A cold drink after the finish
• - Dressing rooms and showers
• - A great and festive atmosphere in our tent at the finish line.
• - A chance to win a Pinarello Bike in a draw
  - Your timekeeping on all routes and on the Haussire (toughest climb in Belgium, according to the cotacol)
  

Stay
We are staying in beautiful La Roche-en-Ardenne just a stone's throw from the start of all tours! The Panache hotel is equipped with all the conveniences for a great race weekend. In the hotel we have our own kitchen, bikewash, closed bikeparking and the center one of the nicest villages in the Ardennes within walking distance.

Program
Friday, August 25

Arrive at Panache hotel in La Roche-en-Ardenne in the afternoon. Would you like to arrive earlier or explore a route? No problem, let us know and we will make sure everything is arranged for you on the spot.
Dinner at 7:30pm mice and place at the Panache hotel.

Saturday, Aug. 26
Breakfast at 07:00h
Getting ready for the start 08:30h.
Choice of one of the 4 formulas of the Vélomédiane
After the tour we gather to ride together to Houffalize where we join the UCI Houffa Gravel event and have dinner at Cafe Coureur in Houffalize together with the participants of the Gravel event.
Evening program with a short lecture and inspiration session of the Nordic Gravel Series by Maarten Patteeuw about gravel biking in the Nordic countries.

Sunday, Aug. 27
Breakfast at 08:30 am
After this we choose from several routes, we ride in the area of La Roche-en-Ardenne and Houffalize and if the legs allow it we will visit La Chouffe on the way.
Lunch and coffee on the way and then finish together at Panache. Here you can change and freshen up and we say goodbye to each other after a wonderful gravel weekend in the Ardennes!

What is included?
-Staying at Panache hotel on half board basis.
-Breakfast, lunch and dinners.
-Sport drinks from 4Gold for event, additional food to be ordered.
-Coffee from Il Magistrale.
-Professional mechanic present for our group
-Enrollment and registration fee for the Houffa Gravel Series.
-Daily support from our support team with their own team car* (team car may not ride on Saturday!)
-Bike wash by Dynamic after the race on Saturday.
-Living like a pro package by Cycle Travel.

What is not included.
-Drinks are on your own account
-Your own transport to La Roche-en-Ardenne
-Transfer to Houffalize on Saturday on the basis of carpooling with the participants or by bike.
*A team car for transport of bicycles is available!

Additional options
-4Gold sports package for this trip
-Upgrade for single room option
-Group discount available when registering from 4-5 people.

Additional information on the start and intended finish times Vélomédiane Claudy Criquiélion 2022:

By participating, each participant will
1 - Confirm his or her agreement to the rules and strict adherence to the Highway Code.
2 - Know that road traffic on the course is not interrupted. So there are cars driving!!!
3 - Knowing that in case of infringement, he or she will be held solely responsible for any accidents and damages caused by him or her.
4 - Know that the "Vélomédiane" is not a race, but an individual cycling tour.
5 - Declare in good conscience that he or she is in excellent health and capable of participating.
6 - Know that the wearing of a helmet is mandatory.
7 - Agree that his or her photograph may be used for promotional purposes by Ardenne Bikes & Sports Organisation, without charge.
8 - Know that failure to comply with the express orders of the agents along the route may result in disqualification of the participants concerned.
NOTE the roads are open to all traffic

This trip is part of;

CYCLOWORLD TRAVEL SERIES

Enjoy the best organized granfondos we've made part of the CycloWorld Travel Series. Live like a pro during our events hosted by Cycle Travel.