Events in Europe
If you're planning to drive across to Europe for a holiday or short break, make sure you've done all your planning, from buying European breakdown cover to making the most of your trip. As the summer months approach, here are some ideas for you to explore.
Hot on the oil trail of the Le Mans 24-hour race, there is a veritable sports fest coming your way in Europe. Here's a round-up of key events that you may want to plan in or catch en route to your holiday destination.
Cycling
France
5–27 July 2008 – Tour de France
The buzz of the iconic cycling extravaganza returns to the Pyrénees. Who'll don the coveted yellow jersey this time round? The tough track routes through Pau and other key towns.
Useful info
Equestrianism
Germany
27 June–6 July 2008 – Bavarian Super League Nations Cup
The horse trials head to Germany for the Bavarian leg of the Super League Nations Cup show in Aachen.
Useful info
Formula 1
France
20–22 June 2008 – French Grand Prix
After Hamilton's crushing pit-lane disaster in Canada, see if he can regain some much needed points on the French circuit at Magny-Cours. As he's saddled with a 10-place penalty, you may be tempted to back another Brit contender, Coulthard, who's primed and ready to do the double on the podium.
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Germany
18–20 July 2008 – German Grand Prix
Of course, there's Silverstone in between (4–6 July) which marks the half-way point in the F1 season, but it's all to play for as Germany hosts the next battle of the supercars at Hockenheim.
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Golf
Germany
24 –27 July 2008 – The Deutsche Bank Players' Championship of Europe
The PGA European tour heads to Gut Kaden in Hamburg for the next bout of golfing prowess. An annual event, the tournament last year saw a healthy prize fund of €600,000.
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26–29 June 2008 – Open de France ALSTOM
For avid golf fans out there, head to Le Golf National on the outskirts of Paris for this tournament, which boasts the likes of Angel Cabrera and Miguel Angel Jiménez.
- Plan a route to Paris
- Local road rules and advice
- Compulsory equipment for France
- Other advice for driving in Europe
24–27 July 2008 – Evian Masters Golf Club
This is the second biggest tournament in women's golf, set in the prestigious spa town of Evian-les-Bains in France.
Useful info
Moto-GP
Holland
26–28 June 2008 – Dutch Moto-GP
Assen hosts the Dutch instalment of the motorbike fest. After Spaniard, Dani Pedrosa's convincing win on home ground at Catalunya, see if Rossi et al will be up to the big fight back.
Useful info
Rugby League
France
27 June 2008 – Toulouse
France pits itself against England in a friendly League test match. With the French side enjoying home-turf advantage, this promises to be a good match for the two sides.
Useful info
Sailing
Ireland
20 June 2008 – BMW Round Ireland Race
The yacht race kicks off at County Wicklow in Eire, featuring teams from the UK and the Isle of Man, France, America and Russia, as well as Ireland, naturally. Mike Slade's team – the winners of the last Fastnet Race – is aiming to set a record for the fastest time round the island.
Useful info
Speedway
Italy
21 June 2008 – Speedway Grand Prix
Northern Italy comes to noisy life when it hosts the Grand Prix qualifier, round four, which takes place in Lonigo in the Province of Vicenza. If you're new to speedway, it features teams made up of four bikes with 500cc engines, each with one gear and only riders' pure skill to stop the bikes. Brakes really are for losers in this battle for Grand Prix supremacy.
Planning your trip
- Plan a route to Lonigo
- Local road rules and advice
- Compulsory equipment for Italy
- Other advice for driving in Europe
Slovenia
29 June 2008 – Speedway World Cup
If, on the other hand, you're following the World Cup, round two converges on Ljubljana, Slovenia for the Speedway qualifiers.
Useful info
Superbikes
Italy
21 June 2008 – World Superbike Championships
If speedway is too tame for you, then take a detour instead to Misano in San Marino, which will be hosting the next round of the World Superbike Championships. Watch Suzuka winner Kayagama fight it out against the likes of Fabrizio, who'll have home-turf advantage.
Useful info
Tennis
Switzerland
7–13 July 2008 – ATP Allianz Suisse Open
The Grand Slams may have awakened your taste for tennis. If so, head for Gstaad in Switzerland for the next round of the ATP, which takes place on clay courts at the Roy Emerson Arena.
Useful info
Austria
14–20 July 2008 – ATP Austrian Open
Another clay round of the tournament, which, this time, takes place outdoors in the Medieval, Tyrol town of Kitzbühel.
Useful info
Touring cars
Portugal
13 July 2008 – Estoril
The picturesque Portuguese coast hosts round six of the championships at the Autódromo do Estoril.
Useful info
Wherever you're going, make sure you see everything your destination has to offer. And make sure you're prepared with European breakdown cover. Why not get a quote now?
