Men's cycling events you don't want to miss in 2023

With cycling season set to start up again in just a matter days, it's the perfect time to plan ahead to ensure you don't miss some of the most spectacular races in the season. Cycling fans, mark these dates in your calendar!

Winter in the cycling world is traditionally dominated by cyclocross. On February 5, Wout van Aert, Mathieu van der Poel and other top athletes will fight for the rainbow jersey in Hoogerheide, the Netherlands. Tom Pidcock will not succeed himself, because the Briton is absent.

Shortly afterwards, the starting signal is given for the classic spring. That happens, as always, with the 'Omloop Het Nieuwsblad'. The peloton is getting ready to dock through the Flemish landscape. Who will take the top spot at Wout van Aert?

Strade Bianche is a relatively new course, but has firmly established itself in the scene since its inaugural event in 2007. The white Tuscan gravel roads, green vineyards and rolling hills provide a unique cycling backdrop. Tadej Pogacar was the best in Siena's beautiful Piazza del Campo last year.

Paris-Nice is the first real test for the peloton in a stage race. The 'Course to the Sun' is the ideal preparation for Milan-San Remo, which takes place less than a week later. Last year it was Primoz Roglic who added his name to the honors list.

'La Primavera' sees riders clock up almost 300 kilometers, which puts it ahead of all other one-day races. The 'Slope de Poggio' offers a gruelling finish in the final phase. Whoever crosses it unscathed, can sprint for the victory. Last year the Slovenian Matej Mohoric won after a phenomenal descent.

One of the most beautiful events in the Flemish spring, Gent-Wevelgem has been on the international cycling calendar since 1934. The notorious 'De Moeren' passage has been the site of many accidents, so definitely not one for the faint of heart. Biniam Girmay clung on well last year and finished it off masterfully in the sprint, becoming the first African ever to win a cycling classic.

'Vlaanderens Mooiste' is more than just a race and is experienced as a holiday in Belgium. The best one-day riders in the world give their best on the Flemish slopes and try to be the first to reach the finish in Oudenaarde. Last year Mathieu van der Poel was the strongest in the field.

A week later, the cycling circus moves to France for Paris-Roubaix. The 'Hell of the North', is covered with dust, endless cobblestones and the legendary finish on the Roubaix velodrome. Who will follow in the footsteps of Dylan van Baarle, who rode solo to the finish last year?

After Paris-Roubaix, the peloton heads to the Netherlands for the Amstel Gold Race. Last year, the classic turned into an exciting final battle between Michał Kwiatkowski and Benoît Cosnefroym, with the Pole crossing the line first.

Three days later, the Walloon Arrow (French: La Flèche Wallonne) takes place. Will we have another Belgian party? In 2022 Dylan Teuns was the fastest, eleven years after his compatriot Philippe Gilbert.

Two weeks later, spring ends with the Ardennes classic Liège-Bastogne-Liège. In La Doyenne, the peloton makes its way through the gruelling Ardennes landscape. Remco Evenepoel forced the decision on the Roche-aux-Faucons last year and arrived all alone.

In May, it's time for the first big round of the season. The Giro will start in Ortona on May 6 and arrive in Rome on May 28. World champion Remco Evenepoel is on the field for the second time and wants to take the pink jersey home. The time trial kilometers in the 2023 season are already looking promising for the 23-year-old.

The Dauphiné Libéré is for many the favorite stage race in preparation for the Tour de France. The riders are traditionally presented with some tough mountain stages and try to get into their best shape for the Tour. The 2022 edition was taken out by Primoz Roglic.

On July 1, the big tour of the year begins. We're of course talking about the Tour de France. It will start in 2023 in Bilbao, Spain, and will end with the sprint high mass on the Champs-Élysées. Jonas Vingegaard (Team Jumbo-Visma) is defending his title. His biggest competitor also seems to be Tadej Pogacar this year. La Grande Boucle already pocketed it in 2020 and 2021.

To the Basque Country then, where the Clásica San sebastián introduces the riders to the natural beauty of northern Spain. The Jaizkibel, the Alto de Arkale and the Alto de Murgil tear the peloton to pieces on their way to the finish in San Sebastián. Last year, Remco Evenepoel was the best for the second time.

The Belgian top cyclist also has something to defend in Glasgow, when the World Cup takes place there in August. For the first time, a 'Super World Cup' will be organized, in which different disciplines will be discussed. The road race is scheduled for August 6. The time trial on August 11.

After the World Cup, it is time for the last big round of the season: the Vuelta or the Tour of Spain. This year's Spanish stage race will take place from August 26 to September 17. Defending champion Remco Evenepoel opts for the Giro this year, which means there are more opportunities for other classification men. The start will be given on August 26 with a team time trial in Barcelona, and the finish will be in the capital Madrid as always.

The focal point of autumn. The 'Race of the Falling Leaves' is one of the five cycling monuments and therefore always an important appointment on the calendar. Fausto Coppi won the match most often (5 times). Tadej Pogacar is already on two pieces at the age of 24. The Slovenian was the best in Northern Italy last year.