{"id":21696,"date":"2022-03-03T03:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-03T03:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/?p=21696"},"modified":"2022-08-09T14:08:57","modified_gmt":"2022-08-09T13:08:57","slug":"2022-spring-classics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/2022-spring-classics\/","title":{"rendered":"2022 Spring Classics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It&#8217;s that time of year when the World Tour Riders are set to do battle in the historical one-day races of Europe &#8211; The Classics. Steeped in cycling history, the classics often offer far more in terms of fireworks and entertainment than Grand Tours. The big five Classics are known as the Monuments &#8211; the biggest and oldest, they carry extra kudos for the winners.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-25634 alignnone lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/NIKON-D710014384-Copy-Copy.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"639\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/NIKON-D710014384-Copy-Copy.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/NIKON-D710014384-Copy-Copy-768x409.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/NIKON-D710014384-Copy-Copy-1024x545.jpg 1024w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1200px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1200\/639;\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>When do they Start?<\/h2>\n<p>The early &#8216;pre&#8217; Classic races of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne Brussels Kuurne (KBK) kicked proceedings off last weekend. Wout Van Aert and Annemiek van Vleuten won at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Fabio Jakobsen won at Kuurne Brussels Kuurne.<\/p>\n<h2>Strade Bianche &#8211; Italy 05\/03\/22<\/h2>\n<p>The true Classics begin 5th March in Italy with the Strada Bianche, renowned for its capacity to produce an exciting race. The route meanders through Tuscany featuring the amazingly photogenic scenery of the area. The white gravel tracks make up sections of the route and add an extra dimension to the race. Depending on the weather, this race is either a filthy suffer-fest or an absolutely stunning Tuscan delight.<\/p>\n<p>Last Winners: Mathieu van der Poel\u00a0 \/ Chantal van den Broek-Blaak<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-21710 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/CSP_1307-768x431.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"431\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/CSP_1307-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/CSP_1307.jpg 800w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/431;\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Milan San Remo -Italy (Monument) 19\/03\/22<\/h2>\n<p>Known by Italians as &#8216;La Classicissima&#8217;, the 298k route through north-west Italy is the longest one day professional race. Since the first edition in 1907, key riders of their era have all stamped their mark on the event, including Eddy Merckx, who won the race 7 times.<\/p>\n<p>Last Winner: Jasper Stuyven<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-21711 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/CSP_1211-768x432.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/CSP_1211-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/CSP_1211.jpg 800w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/432;\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>E3 Harelbeke &#8211; Belgium 25\/03\/22<\/h2>\n<p>The E3 took its name from the name of the European Route (E03) from Lisbon to Stockholm. The road is now the E17 connecting Antwerp and Kortrikt. Usually around 200 kilometres long the E3 takes in all the famous flanders climbs before making its way to the finish in Harelbeke. Often including the same tough cobbled climbs as La Ronde, E3 is a true cobbled classic.<\/p>\n<p>Last Winner: Kasper Asgreen<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-21715 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/CSP_1592-copy-768x538.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"538\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/CSP_1592-copy-768x538.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/CSP_1592-copy.jpg 800w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/538;\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Gent Wevelgem &#8211; Belgium 27\/03\/22<\/h2>\n<p>Running since 1934 Gent Wevelgem was traditionally known as the sprinter&#8217;s race, traditionally held the week before the Tour of Flanders. The 2020 edition will feature &#8216;Plugstreets&#8217; or dirt roads again, as did the race did in 2018\/19. The race through Flanders Fields is always a tough day out.<\/p>\n<p>Last Winner: Wout van Aert \/ Marianne Vos<span class=\"st\"><br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-21714 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/7CS_6622-Copy-Copy-768x431.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"431\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/7CS_6622-Copy-Copy-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/7CS_6622-Copy-Copy.jpg 800w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/431;\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Tour of Flanders &#8211; Belgium (Monument) 3\/04\/22<\/h2>\n<p>Also known as De Ronde, the Tour of Flanders is THE biggest race in Belgium. There is a museum dedicated to the history of the event in Oudenaarde, near to its iconic climbs, the Paterberg, Koppenberg and Oude Kwaremont. The route always produces a dramatic and exiting race.<\/p>\n<p>Last Winners: Kasper Asgreen \/ Annemiek van Vleuten<\/p>\n<h2><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-21712 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/CSP_1236-768x432.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/CSP_1236-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/CSP_1236.jpg 800w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/432;\" \/><\/h2>\n<h2>Paris Roubaix &#8211; France (Monument) 17\/04\/22<\/h2>\n<p>The Paris Roubaix, also known as the &#8216;Hell of the North&#8217; features sectors of old cobbled farm tracks which usually only see tractors. The sectors of cobbles are usually decisive to the race&#8217;s outcome, before the riders head through the streets of Roubaix towards the famous Velodrome finish.<\/p>\n<p>Last Winner: Sonny Colbrelli \/ Lizzie Deignan<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-21731 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/CSP_1608cr-768x432.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/CSP_1608cr-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/CSP_1608cr.jpg 800w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/432;\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Amstel Gold &#8211; Holland 10\/04\/22<\/h2>\n<p>Maarstrckt in the Netherlands hosts Hollands biggest one day bike race the Amstel Gold. Sponsored by the nations most popular brew, the Amstel usually finishes in Valkenburg, following a testing tour around the regions tough rolling climbs. The Cauberg climb usually helps animate this Dutch delight of a race.<\/p>\n<p>Last Winners: Wout van Aert \/ Marianne Vos<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-21713 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/7CS_6628-768x431.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"431\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/7CS_6628-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/7CS_6628.jpg 800w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/431;\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>La Fleche Wallone &#8211; Belgium 21\/04\/20<\/h2>\n<p>The rolling roads in between Liege and Luxembourg usually suit climbers more than one day specialists. The steep climb of the Mur De Huy usually helps animate the race this much loved race. The Fleche is the first of the Ardenne classics, usually before Liege Baston Liege.<\/p>\n<p>Last Winners: Julian Alaphilippe \/ Anna van der Breggen<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-21730 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/7CS_6591cr-768x432.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/7CS_6591cr-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/7CS_6591cr.jpg 800w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/432;\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Liege Bastogne Liege &#8211; Belgium (Monument) 20\/04\/22<\/h2>\n<p>Often called &#8216;La Doyenne&#8217; (The Old Lady) the Liege has been run since 1892 and has featured wins by all the most prominent one day racers through history. The tough rolling roads of the Ardennes always ensure a deserving winner, Eddy Merckx won the mens event 5 times.<\/p>\n<p>Last Winner: Tadej Poga\u010dar \/ Demi Vollering<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-21722 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/CSP_1254-768x432.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/CSP_1254-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/CSP_1254.jpg 800w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/432;\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Giro De Lomardia &#8211; Italy (Monument)8\/10\/22<\/h2>\n<p>The traditional final classic of the season is also known as the &#8216;Race of the Falling Leaves&#8217;. It is usually held in the second week of October and is one last chance for the pro&#8217;s to take a big win to boost their contract for the following year. Held since 1905, with the exception of 1943 \/ 44 because of the War. The race has been won by all the greats, including Kelly, Hinault, Merckx and England&#8217;s own, Tom Simpson.<\/p>\n<p>Last Winner: Tadej Poga\u010dar<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-21740 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/CSP_1644-768x427.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"427\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/CSP_1644-768x427.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/CSP_1644.jpg 800w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/427;\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Classic Road Bike<\/h2>\n<p>Here at Merlin we have in stock a wide selecetion of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/road-bikes-75267\/\">road bikes<\/a> from around the world, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/brand\/3t\/\">3T<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/brand\/wilier\/\">Wilier<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/brand\/tifosi\/\">Tifosi<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/brand\/sensa\/\">Sensa<\/a>, Moda and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/brand\/de-rosa\/\">De Rosa<\/a>. Check out our Road Bike Size Guide <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/buyers-guide-to-choosing-the-correct-size-road-bike\/\">here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/road-bikes-75267\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"470\" height=\"470\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/74506_de_rosa_sk_pininfarina_ultegra_carbon_road_bike_2020.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-32644 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 470px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 470\/470;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It&#8217;s that time of year when the World Tour Riders are set to do battle in the historical one-day races of Europe &#8211; The Classics. Steeped in cycling history, the classics often offer far more in terms of fireworks and entertainment than Grand Tours. The big five Classics are known as the Monuments &#8211; the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":30549,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4],"tags":[2687,2684,2692,2321,2686,2691,467,2689,2690,2317,2688,2683,2685,466],"ppma_author":[4632],"class_list":["post-21696","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-cobbled-classics","tag-cycling-classics","tag-kermesse-racing","tag-merlin-nitro-sl","tag-one-day-race","tag-oudenaarde-cycling","tag-paris-roubaix","tag-peter-sagan","tag-phillipe-gilbert","tag-spring-classics","tag-strade-bianchi","tag-the-classics-cycling","tag-the-monuments","tag-tour-of-flanders","author-rick-robson"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>2022 Spring Classics - Merlin Cycles Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Spring Classics see the start of the World Tour professional riders season in the bike racing heartlands of Europe. 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Steeped in cycling\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/2022-spring-classics\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Merlin Cycles Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-03-03T03:00:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2022-08-09T13:08:57+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/7CS_6660.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"635\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Rick Robson\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Rick Robson\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.merlincycles.com\\\/blog\\\/2022-spring-classics\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.merlincycles.com\\\/blog\\\/2022-spring-classics\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Rick Robson\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.merlincycles.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/77bd80acebb6db707e763a0a69fc35df\"},\"headline\":\"2022 Spring Classics\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-03-03T03:00:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-08-09T13:08:57+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.merlincycles.com\\\/blog\\\/2022-spring-classics\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":805,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.merlincycles.com\\\/blog\\\/2022-spring-classics\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.merlincycles.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/02\\\/7CS_6660.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"cobbled classics\",\"cycling classics\",\"kermesse racing\",\"merlin nitro sl\",\"one day race\",\"Oudenaarde cycling\",\"paris roubaix\",\"peter sagan\",\"phillipe Gilbert\",\"spring classics\",\"Strade Bianchi\",\"the classics cycling\",\"the monuments\",\"tour of flanders\"],\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.merlincycles.com\\\/blog\\\/2022-spring-classics\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.merlincycles.com\\\/blog\\\/2022-spring-classics\\\/\",\"name\":\"2022 Spring Classics - Merlin Cycles Blog\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.merlincycles.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.merlincycles.com\\\/blog\\\/2022-spring-classics\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.merlincycles.com\\\/blog\\\/2022-spring-classics\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.merlincycles.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/02\\\/7CS_6660.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-03-03T03:00:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-08-09T13:08:57+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.merlincycles.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/77bd80acebb6db707e763a0a69fc35df\"},\"description\":\"The Spring Classics see the start of the World Tour professional riders season in the bike racing heartlands of Europe. 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