The region of northern France is in the spotlight this week. Normally, this region is relevant in cycling country one week of the year. When the ladies and gents thunder from Paris to Roubaix, everyone sighs and moans about this piece of forgotten land between Belgium and the rest of France. For cycling fans, this region has much more in store than just cobbles and arable fields. Based on stage 6 of the Tour de France 2022 La Grande Boucle will again showcase a beautiful piece of cycling territory. Whereas the stage from Binche ends in Longwy after 220 kilometres, the proposed tour version goes into the surrounding area from Longwy. Almost 70 kilometres of enjoyment, with more altimeters of altitude than you might expect. Read along?
Binche - Belgian cycling polonaise
Despite the fact that the route does not start in Belgium, a word about Binche. After all, the route is inspired by the sixth stage, which does start in Binche. This carnival city is becoming increasingly prominent in cycling. In the coming years, they will host the Belgian Championship four more times. Yves Lampaert already became champion once in this Walloon city in 2018. And not only that. The 'wanty' team has its home base here and the Binche-Chimay-Binche race has also been held here since 2013. In 2019, Binche was also once a starting place in the Tour. Then, too, the peloton headed to France. Julian Alaphilippe then pulled ahead and threw his hands up in the air in Epernay. Who will it be this time in Longwy?
Painful meters
If you grab the map, you will see that Longwy is just south of the Belgium-Luxembourg-France tri-border point. If you then zoom out a little, you will immediately draw the conclusion that it must be hilly here. It is right here in the middle of the offshoot of the Belgian Ardennes and uncongested Luxembourg. That means uphill and downhill for most of the route. It is a variation on the short work in the Ardennes. Painful climbs that will stay with you for a while. Like the climb after 12.5 kilometres, through the hamlet of Saint Pancré. Up the Grand Rue at an average of five per cent but with peaks of 11 and even 16 (!) per cent. A piece of cake for a pro rider, but serious work for others. After just over two kilometres, you're at the top. A real horseshoe bend and over 100 altitude metres further, you can pat yourself on the shoulder.
Longuyon
In the range of French chansons, many villages, regions and cities are sung about. Longuyon is not one of them. If you search in the annals of French history, you will come across Jacques de Longuyon. At 2/3 of the route, you pass through the town of Longuyon. A place to quickly forget, as even the local Wikipedia is not going to help you. The small waterfall in the village will be music to your ears. You still have 20 kilometres to go. Because make no mistake: it is a route of only 67 kilometres but you will have almost 1,000 altimeters behind you when you return to Longwy. From Longuyon, you also follow the route of the original tour stage. If you ride through here in spring, around April/May you will find the beautiful yellow fields surrounding you.
Longwy
If you're almost at the end of this route, you're not there yet. That sounds like tile wisdom, but it's actually true in this case. Just like in the finale of the stage (where Wout van Aert was caught), it goes hard into the air here. You cross the Côte de Pulventeux before taking in the Cote des Religieuses. The delicious dessert of Longwy, shall we call it.
Around the old castle of runs the little road uphill. Or rather a nice steep climb. As the stage also showed, this is a challenging bit of scrambling, beautifully through the town where you almost end up next to the old castle. A beautiful end to a route reminiscent of the Belgian Ardennes, but in French country. Beautiful isn't it? Quite unexpected as far as we are concerned.
Route
Read about the wonderful routes here, but also check out the routes of Calais and around Arenberg. Cycling in northern France is more beautiful than you think!
