LCMT 2023 reveals itself...great stages!

On top of this page you get introduced in the 23rd edition of the LCMT.
Go to our LCMT-CHANNEL (videos) to see some of our action scenes.

The LCMT stages from Malmedy are known in their final form! They are currently pending approval by the competent authorities. From our own explorations plus what was approved in the same region for last year's edition, we dare to express the hope that not too many changes will have to be made. Even if a new cycling reconnaissance will follow in the spring, if only to evaluate the situation in the Ardennes forests after possible winter damage or sudden works on the now proposed course. Down below you can see those current distances and ascent meters for every stage & XL/Large version. Be sure of one thing: this is the best you can experience in the Belgian Ardennes & East-Belgium on a mountainbike!

The valleys and slopes of Liège-Bastogne-Liège!

 

This opening ride can immediately be called the queen stage of the LCMT! What a blast!!

From the start it goes up and down continuously towards La Gleize. We climb, among other things, the côte de Wanne. Deeply carved valleys that emerge again and again after another climb, another descent. But that's why you came here, right? There will be many altimeters in the legs until the first supply. The medium turns back to Malmedy after about 30 km. But even such a medium tour cannot be compared to what you get in Flanders or the Netherlands.

The stage continues north via Stoumont and Vert Buisson. A piece of gravel follows in a descending line. Now the pace can be driven up to Remouchamps. Afterwards we go via technical single tracks to Nonceveux where we get a firm climb back to Havelange.

Again in a descending line to Lorcé and via the picturesque village of Rahier we head towards supply 3.

The remaining 20 km remain challenging until the finish at the Centre Sportif of Malmedy.

 

Large version 1st stage...

 

Medium-version 1st ride

 

 

After the start we will know immediately whether we have already recovered from yesterday's ride. However, it is those typical Ardennes slopes over an average of 5-6% with maximum gradients of 9 to 10% that creep into the calves. Yet there is so much along the way to enjoy as well. Mighty vantage points when you get to the top of another climb like that. And splashing waterfalls give the whole a romantic impression. Beyond the 1st supply is the fork for the Medium.

We continue in a north-westerly direction to enjoy beautiful challenging new stretches of off-road. The 2nd supply will be a welcome break for many.

Then the first part between the two supplies becomes a beautiful and challenging part for the bikers, where we can recover a bit in the second part to the 3rd supply.

It is clear after 2 days: every morning it will hurt to get out of the valley of Malmedy . Along the way the altimeters pile up, but there is also a lot of time to admire the natural beauty. Towards the end you know that a descent to the finish awaits.

Large-distance 2nd stage

 

Medium-version stage 2

 

Stage 3 all hands on deck to the finish!

 

 

Yes, the last leg of this three-day mountainbike ride is a little shorter in distance as usual. But in terms of altitude and succession of côtes and climbings, this ride is in no way inferior to the previous days. Even more than in the two previous rides, there are some very steep 'walls' here. After just over 20 km there is that wall of Nonceveux: one and a half kilometers at 8.6%. Such a 'wall' also awaits beyond 60 km: the Wall of Targnon, let's call it that way. Almost 200 m difference in height has to be overcome in one and a half kilometres. Those are the 2 mountain prize moments for the Poppyshirt (best climber-shirt).

Just before Targnon it also went quite uphill for 3 km to Stoumont, albeit a little longer spun out and therefore less steep. And a little earlier, the same thing happened on the Côte de Brume Est. After a good 48 km, in the vicinity of the village of Rahier, just before Trois Ponts: good 6-7  km of steady climb, with an occasional nod down, but never changing in a real or smooth descent. In the last 20 km, the route winds its way around and on the flanks of the Côte de Wanne before gradually reaching the finish in Malmedy. 

Large-version of final stage 3

 

The bright valleys and slopes of Liège-Bastogne-Liège!

On day 3, everyone knows what time it is. The daily start towards the first unpaved climb will immediately be in everyone's memory. 

Once turned nordwest it is constantly going up and down towards La Gleize. Deeply carved valleys that pop up again and again after another climb, another descent. But that's why you came here, didn't you? The medium turns back to Malmedy after 30 km.

But even such a medium tour is in no way comparable to what you get to choose in Flanders or the Netherlands. Die-hards of course opt for at least 'large' where the split at Targnon is located and where we also cycle to TFZ 3 Bergeval to the finish , or why not, the XL version.

With passages along Haute- and Basse-Bodeux, Bergeval and Neuville we find ourselves in beautiful but demanding landscapes.