On the trail of Criquielion

Claude Criquielion (1957-2015) was a professional cyclist who won important prizes, such as the world championship in 1984. In honor of his glorious career, an annual sporting cycling tour takes place in the Ardennes.

La Petite Crique
The tour has a long variant of 170 km with 3,300 altimeters and a short variant. This route takes you along the short version: La Petite Crique, a tour of more than 100 kilometers with 1,300 altimeters (altitude meters) that starts and ends at the Tourist Office of La Roche-en-Ardenne. You drive on sloping asphalt roads, enjoying the vast forests and breathtaking views. In this beautiful region of the rivers Ourthe and Aisne you cross typical Ardennes villages such as Ortho, Roupage, Champlon, Marcourt and Cielle.

Stages
You can divide the trip over several days. This way you benefit from cozy places to stay and restaurants with the tastiest regional products. This also gives you time to enjoy tourist attractions such as the Wildlife Park or the Castle of La Roche-en-Ardenne, an iconic hilltop castle whose history dates back to the ninth century. Find all information about places to stay, restaurants and tourist attractions and events in the area on www.luxembourg-belge.be/nl/

Col de Haussire
Those who like challenges can climb up behind the church via the famous Col de Haussire. According to the experts, this is the toughest climb in Belgium: a climb of 4.6 km with an average gradient of 7% and a maximum of 15%. The route runs along the Wildlife Park and climbs to 498 meters. You then descend back to La Roche via the N89. This calf biter is not included in this route, but it is definitely worth a try.

Velomediane
Do you want to participate in the long or short variant organized by Ardennes Bikes & Sports Organization in the last weekend of August? Or do you want to ride the family tour or e-bike tour of 20 kilometers? Please visit www.velomediane.be for information and registration.

Claude Criquielion
Criquielion's career as a cycling pro lasted from 1979 to 1991. He was a true classics specialist. His palmares include the Tour of Flanders, the Waalse Pijl, the Brabantse Pijl, the Grand Prix Eddy Merckx and the Clásica San Sebastián. In 1984 he became world champion on the road. A feat he probably would have equaled in 1988, had it not been for the fact that he was pushed into the fences by Steve Bauer during the final sprint and crashed. While Maurizio Fondriest celebrated his world title behind the line, the camera in Ronse, Belgium, mainly focused on Criquielion. He crossed the finish line, battered bike in hand, with a mixture of frustration and disbelief. An iconic image that symbolizes the drama of cycling. Criquielion passed away in February 2015 due to a stroke.