Plan Luxembourg trip around which race?
 

We are going to Luxembourg Spring 2018 to visit friends. Which race in Europe would make for good spectating/atmosphere/enjoyment if you could pick any race? Dates are flexible so trying to get ideas.

Only pro race I've been to was 2015 World Championships. Since it was a circuit around Richmond it made for great spectating but I'm open to a stage race or classic if those would be better/different?

So if you were me, what race would you go see?

Well it's right there in the middle of everything, isn't it. You could grab a couple of races. Look at the ones that are adjacent to each other. You've got races every weekend and some mid-week (E3, Fleche, etc.) as things roll from the cobbles to the Ardennes. You could be there 8 days and get a monument or two, plus a semi-classic as a three-fer. Take a look at the second right sidebar on steephill.tv for the 2017 sched for a quick overview.

I think I'd center on Flanders, but really just pick your poison(s).

Slcbob, thanks for your response. So for a traditional race from point A to point B, do you just pick a spot on the course and watch them go by 1 time or do you hop from the start to mid course to the finish throughout the day?

Well, I'm not a pro with spectator tips based on experience. But I did stay at a Holiday Inn. Some thoughts:

- you don't have to have a crit or finishing circuits to have some chances to see things twice. Take a look at Flanders route map. 2017 Tour of Flanders Live Video, Route, Startlist, Preview, Results, Photos, TV aka Ronde van Vlaanderen 2017 Much more wiggly than Roubaix. So more hoppable.

- that said, bouncing around is impacted by traffic and road closures. You need some local knowledge, or at least research. Hopping is easier said than done, but may be doable.

- Or you can have fun without hopping. Certainly the start and finish areas, and being right in the mix of it all (almost like a sidelines pass at an NFL game), are a draw. But in the big races, so are watching the caravan, the raw speed of the peloton in full chase on the flat, or the slow grind up a hill. Many different views. Player's choice.

- There's lots to be said for the spectacle of the sideline crowd and the meta-watching that goes on. Particularly at Flanders amongst the spring classics. De Ronde is a national phenomenon. Something like Dutch corner on Alpe d'Huez would be cool, too, but that's a whole 'nother level of commitment and crazy to get there, stay there, and deal with all the drunks in the orange for so many many hours.

Have fun. You almost can't go wrong, so just go right. Put some thought into it, but don't let perfect become the enemy of good.

Awesome, great advice, thank you!