Entry is now open for the 2016 edition of the official Tour of Flanders sportive, the Ronde Van Vlaanderen Cyclo. 

Whilst it's impossible for most football fans to have a kick about at Wembley, or for cricket-lovers to stroll out to the middle at Lords, the sport of cycling affords its most dedicated followers the opportunity to compete on the same terrrain as the stars. 

The Spring Classics provide a unique opportunity to combine riding some of the most famous roads in the sport with watching the professionals do the same the very next day. 

The RVV Cyclo will take place on Saturday 2 April 2016, just 24 hours before pros such as Sagan, Degenkolb and Kristoff will vie for the win in one of cycling's most prestigious monuments. 

2016 marks the 25th edition of the Tour of Flanders sportive, which allows a maximum field of 16,000 participants. Entry will be open until the 14 March 2016 or until places sell out. It's worth signing up early though, not just to secure your place, but also to take advantage of early bird prices: 

From 1 November to 31 December 2015:

71km - €20
127km - €30
239km - €40 

From 1 January to 14 February 2016:

71km - €25
127km - €35
239km - €45 

From 15 February 2016 onwards:

71km - €30
127km - €40
239km - €50 

First held in 1913, the Ronde van Vlaanderen is the biggest race in the sport's spiritual home: the rugged and harsh landscape of Flanders. Much like the Tour de France, a newspaper - Sportwereld - created the race. 

Climbs such as the Koppenberg, Kwaremont, Paterberg and Muur have been immortalised in cycling lore, along with the exploits of those riders who have conquered them. The race even has its own museum, in Oudenaarde, a small town on the race route.  

Fabian Cancellara and Tom Boonen have dominated the Tour of Flanders in recent years, and both have, on two separate occasions, secured victories in both the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix in the same year. Britain's most successful classics rider, Tom Simpson, is the only one of his countrymen to have stood on the top step of the podium at the race, doing so in 1961 in conditions so severe that the banner over the finish line blew down. 

The Tour of Flanders sportive is part of the 2016 Skoda Classic Challenge series which also includes amateur versions of Paris Roubaix (9 April) and Liege-Bastogne-Liege (23 April). Entry for these events will open on 1 December 2015. 

To read Cyclosport's Guide to the Spring Classics click here. 

The Tour of Flanders sportive was included in Cyclosport's list of favourite events in 2014 both Andy Dawson and Sean Lacey picking the event as a season highlight.

Andy Dawson - read his full review HERE.  

"Because it was a revelation and because it was an introduction to the world of Belgian cycling (and beer) I have to vote the Ronde van Vlaanderen the highlight of my year.  16,000 cyclists taking on the same route as the professionals, with seamless organisation and lots of good humour.  And the climbs - tricky, historic, packed - once you've mastered them you'll think you are a true Flandrian cyclist!" 

Sean Lacey - read his full review HERE.

"A friend and I planned this with the aid of his motor home, and booking places early was advantageous as we wound up within a kilometre or so of the finish line in Oudenarde, and a few kilometres away from the start. With 16,000 entrants, great weather for the time of year and the history and legend of those famous cobbles, it was a fantastic experience. Seeing the pro's take it on the next day was icing on a very tasty cake." 

The event was included in Cyclosport's Top 5 Cobbled Sportives and Pro Race Sportives.

2016 Spring Classics

19 March - Milan - San Remo - Italy
25 March - E3 Harelbeke - Belgium
27 March - Ghent - Wevelgem - Belgium
5 April - Tour of Flanders - Belgium
10 April - Paris - Roubaix - France
17 April - Amstel Gold Race - Netherlands
20 April - La Flèche Wallonne - Belgium
24 April - Liège-Bastogne-Liège - Belgium 

For more information and to sign up visit www.sport.be.