Circuit Pays Noir - Charleroi   

PAYS NOIR, the "Black Lands" refers to the coal mining history in Charleroi in the Belgium province of Hainaut, Charleroi is the biggest city in Wallonia with approx. 200,000 inhabitants. The peloton will tested severely on these cobblestones of Hainaut. While no hills play any significant part, the best cobbler in the pack is destined for a win, or the rider that succeeds in a breakaway on the multiple "Sectuers" of predomina...

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PAYS NOIR, the "Black Lands" refers to the coal mining history in Charleroi in the Belgium province of Hainaut, Charleroi is the biggest city in Wallonia with approx. 200,000 inhabitants. The peloton will tested severely on these cobblestones of Hainaut. While no hills play any significant part, the best cobbler in the pack is destined for a win, or the rider that succeeds in a breakaway on the multiple "Sectuers" of predominantly Cobbles but also minor strecthes of gravel.

The route starts in central Charleroi at “Place Charles II” going eastward towards the scenic town of Villers-de-Ville before turning south. From here the first secteurs begins with "Rue de Court Saínt-Étienne” and "Rue de Petit Try”. Both could serve as Breakaway spots.

From hereon the peloton returns to southern Charleroi, racing past the “Bois de Cazier” a UNESCO Heritage Site of Charleroi's coal mining history. Leaving “Bois de Cazier” the race intensifies heavily with the remaining kilometers towards the cobbled finishline at Pont-de-Celles. Fans and spectators will gather at the secteurs; Luttré, Thiméon, Mellet, Mellery and Vieux-Gemappe around the town of Courcelles where the front will have been splintered into small groups of muddy riders. Few seconds here will be enough winning at the last secteur at Pont-de-Celles.