Human Powered Health begins the Ardennes Classics in the Netherlands at the Amstel Gold Race on April 19.
The only Women’s WorldTour race in the country, the 158.1 km route from Maastricht to Valkenburg is characterized by an undulating parcours with a cumulative elevation gain of 1,960 meters.
It’s not only the climbs. The Amstel Gold Race is infamous for its road furniture and narrow, winding roads that require careful navigation and can have just as big an impact as the gradients.
Taking on the race that is named after the beer from Amsterdam of the same name is the Dutch trio of Thalita de Jong, Nina Buijsman and Marit Raaijmakers. They are joined for their home race by Titia Ryo, Carlotta Cipressi and Mona Mitterwallner, competing on the road for the first time in 2026.
Chief amongst the hills is a four-lap 20-kilometer finishing circuit that includes ascents of the Geulhemmerberg, Bemelerberg and Cauberg climbs, the latter one of the most famous roads in cycling.
Where the race is won
There are 21 ascents in Amstel Gold, but here are the three to look out for on the finishing circuit.
Geulhemmerberg, 1.1 km at 5.1%
Climbed four times, the Geulhemmerberg is the first ascent after the finish line on each lap. A drag of a climb, it’s not a launchpad, but it will soften the peloton over time. Positioning for the climb will be very important, with the short, sharp descent just before the climb paramount.
Bemelerberg, 0.8 km at 4.9%
A twisting tree-lined road, the Bemelerberg is also tackled four times. Shallower than the other two on the circuit, it also acts as a nuisance to heavy legs. You won’t lose the race on the Bemelerberg, but you could see your hopes slowly go up the road.
Cauberg, 0.5 km at 8.6%
The steepest climb on the circuit is the most famous of the race. Climbed five times, and with a maximum gradient of 13%, the Cauberg acts as the perfect launchpad for fortuitous riders who either hope to win solo or battle it out in a select group. The pace and aggression it is taken at on its final ascent is what determines the nature of the finish.
Berg en Terblijt
As the Cauberg tops out, there’s around 1.8 kilometers to the line. In a bygone age, the race finished atop the wall-like climb, but now travels across a straight, flat plateau from the outskirts of Valkenburg to Berg en Terblijt. This road has been the scene of legendary comebacks and dramatic finishes in both the men’s and women’s elite races, and is what makes Amstel Gold not just solely for climbers. As a result, unless you’re solo, you will need a strong sprint to win.
How to watch
USA
FloBikes from 6:45 am EDT / 5:45 am CDT / 4:45 am MDT / 3:45 am PDT
Canada
FloBikes
Greater Europe
Eurosport from 12:45 CET
UK
HBO Max / TNT Sports from 11:45 BST
What our athletes think
Thalita de Jong
I’m looking forward to racing in the Netherlands, but it’s always a hectic race. Lots of turning, road furniture and small, narrow roads, so you need to be focused. We don’t have many races here anymore, so this is special. It’s different in parcours from the cobbled classics, so that makes a difference, but there’s the same type of hectic energy. But, it’s more my style of racing with these road climbs like at Liége. My goal is Liége as it suited me well in previous years, and suited me well when we raced a very similar stage at the Tour de France Femmes in 2024. I want to give my best in all the races now, as I am in good shape and am happy to race.
Nina Buijsman
I’m super happy and excited to return to Amstel. It’s one of my favourite races because it’s always hard and so cool with the big Dutch crowd. I’m looking forward to this Sunday. It’s a hard circuit because the lap is not so big. So a lot of the time it’s up or down, and in between there are some small roads, so positioning is important. The first lap feels ‘okay’, but with more climbs in the legs, it feels harder and harder. It’s all about how hard you can push with tired and painful legs.
Photos: GettySport and HPHCycling
