Monuments
From the pave of Paris-Roubaix, to the Poggio of Milan San-Remo, from the murs of the Ronde van Vlanderren to the cols of the Giro di Lombardia, the big classics have written some of the most beautiful pages in cycling’s history books and given us some of the greatest champions from the glory years to the present day.
François, Foucauld, Matthieu and Jochen decided to hit the road on a mission to ride, to feel and to touch the special places where these stories and heroes were made.
For Café du Cycliste it was clear that this was a project worth supporting, together with cyfac, Strava and CLC Loisirs.
And now the journey is published in a new book which doubles up as an invitation from the authors encouraging readers to travel to the most historic locations of the five Monuments and the one-day classics.
Because cycling is never better than when it is shared with others.
But not everyone can visit all of the classic parcours, so we posed the question; 'if you had to choose, which would be your ulitmate classics ride from the 12 locations you visited'. And of course, each of the Monument Men had their own personal attachment to different places.
François
Milan-Sanremo, without a single hestitation. Because it’s Italy, because for just over 100 kilometers, you have the imprression of nearly riding on the sea. Because there is the Poggio, a definitively romantic place. Beyond the bike, the Poggio is one of my favourite places.
Foucauld
For me, the Mur de Huy epitomises the speciality of the Classics, but I’m going to say Liege-Bastogne-Liege for its parcours in the heart of the Ardennes, through the uniquely dense forests.
Jochen
Paris-Roubaix.
Because it was the first race that really made an impression on me as a photographer. Also, there is always a surprise with the light - it is always there, somewhere. And then there is the wind, the rain, the mud, the mud. The elements play an essential role, on the bike just as they do for the photos. And you have to do it with both.
Matthieu
If I really have to choose, I would say the Giro di Lombardia. For the landscapes as they turn to autumn, the topography and the crazy views of Lake Como. I like that is a slight cliché, a well-presented version of la Dolca Vita, with the vespas and the villas of the Hollywood stars like George Clooney.
Texts – François Paoletti & Foucauld Duchange
Francois is the author of Eddy, ma saison des classiques, released in November 2016. He is a regular contributor for several publications including JDD, magazine 200, Cycle! magazine.
Foucauld is the designer and editor of the creation studio L’Impeccable. He previously published the magazine Passion and blogs at La Conjuration. He also contributed to the special issue of the weekly magazine Le 1, devoted to the Tour de France, and to Steel Magazine and 200 Magazine.
Photography – Jochen Hoops
Jochen is a photographer and founder of the Creative Hub Paris agency. With his team of photographers specialising in cycling and lifestyle, he creates visual and editorial content and collaborates with magazines and brands in the bicycle industry.
Artistic Director – Matthieu Lifschitz
Matthieu (as well as being a Café du Cycliste ambassador) is the artistic director of magazine 200, and founder of Manivelle the graphic design studio inspired by the world of the bike, and more particularly by long-distance brevets.
Discover the full journey and see a unique view of cycling's most historic places in Monuments by purchasing it here
