The Best Week In Belgium: LITP LIVE at the Spring Classics

Mitch Stocker takes listeners on an immersive journey through the heart of Belgium's most iconic cycling week—the Spring Classics—capturing the energy, emotion, and culture of the Tour of Flanders, Dwars door Vlaanderen, and the surrounding races. From the coastal start of Gent-Wevelgem in Middelkerke to the legendary cobbles of the Ronde van Vlaanderen, Mitch and his crew traverse the roads, hotels, and fan zones, offering intimate access to riders, mechanics, photographers, and passionate supporters. The episode blends behind-the-scenes insights with on-the-ground storytelling, highlighting the physical and mental grind of the classics, the evolution of bike tech (like wider tires and shorter cranks), and the deep-rooted traditions of Belgian cycling culture. With vivid descriptions of the Quarremon, Camelberg, and fan rituals—from frites and beer to the communal joy of the race—this episode celebrates cycling not just as sport, but as a living, breathing national identity. The week culminates in a reflective moment after Flanders, as riders like Pogacar and Van Aert claim victory, and the focus shifts to the ultimate test: Paris-Roubaix.