Cobblestones, like mountaineous terrain, are decisive elements in courses of cycling. Many classic cycle races in northwestern Europe contain cobbled sections. The two absolute classics of this race type are the Ronde van Vlaanderen and Paris-Roubaix, with over 20 cobbled sectors. The first semi-classic with cobbled sections is Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, which traditionally opens the Belgian classics season, followed the next day by Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne.
Starting late March, the Vlaamse Wielerweek (Flemish cycling week) kicks off the most important period for cobbled cycling classics. This multi-day event includes the semi-classic Dwars door Vlaanderen, the stage-race Driedaagse van De Panne and finally the highlight of the Flemish cycling year, the Monumental Ronde van Vlaanderen. These events are followed by yet another semi-classic on Flemish roads, Gent-Wevelgem (a UCI ProTour event), the historical Paris-Roubaix (another Monument) and lastly, the one day race Grote Scheldeprijs.
Among the cobbled cycling races the three most prestigious are usually held within a 8-day timeframe in early April: the Ronde on Sunday, Gent-Wevelgem on Wednesday followed by "L'Enfer du Nord", Paris-Roubaix.
In 1962 Belgian rider Rik van Looy won the treble.
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