Racing season is so back. On Friday, we get to watch the Brabantse Pijl\u2014although not everyone has decided to, given the fact that they also have a big race on Sunday. Brabantse used to be on Wednesday, so even though it\u2019s been shortened, some of the big names are opting out so they can be sure of fresh legs.<\/p>\n
Amstel is almost here<\/p>\n
On Sunday, WorldTour moves to the Netherlands for the 60th Amstel Gold Race. The Limburg hills usually keep things open, though Remco Evenepoel arrives in flying form and looks like the man to beat. With no Poga\u010dar or Van der Poel, expect a more aggressive race.<\/p>\n
Tom Pidcock is back on terrain that suits him perfectly, while defending champion Mattias Skjelmose proved last year he can beat anyone here.<\/p>\n
The route hasn\u2019t changed much: climbs stack up, then the Cauberg returns late, just 2.5 kilometres from the line, setting up a sharp, decisive finish.<\/p>\n
All the big names for the women\u2019s race<\/p>\n
The women\u2019s race is stacked, with all the major names on the start line. Demi Vollering leads the billing, alongside Lorena Wiebes and Kasia Niewiadoma, while riders like Elise Chabbey and Karlijn Swinkels add depth. It\u2019s a proper top-tier field for the 12th edition, with no shortage of contenders. Vollering just took her first-ever win at Flanders, so the Euro champ definitely wants to take another dub on home soil. In 2025, it was Mischa Bredewold who took the win and she will be there to defend.<\/p>\n
And good news for us Canucks! There\u2019s a solid Canadian contingent heading to Limburg. For the men, Alpecin-Premier Tech\u2019s Hugo Houle is there, along with EF Education-EasyPost\u2019s Michael Leonard. Leonard is doing well with his new team, with an excellent start to the year<\/a>. Pier-Andr\u00e9 C\u00f4t\u00e9 (NSN Cycling Team) already has plenty of race miles and will be there as well.<\/p>\n All kinds of Canadian women<\/p>\n There are even more Canadian women racing in Holland, including world champ Magdeleine Valli\u00e8res-Mill (EF Education-Oatly). Her big goals this Classics season are coming up\u2014notably the Ardennes races. But Amstel is also well-suited to her with all the hills. Movistar\u2019s climber Olivia Baril is there, too. It would be great to see her snag a nice result on Sunday.<\/p>\n Team Picnic PostNL\u2019s Mara Roldan is listed, but Canadian Cycling Magazine has reached out to confirm, since she is still dealing (but getting better!<\/a>) with concussion problems after getting hit by a driver. St Michel \u2013 Preference Home \u2013 Auber93 has its Canadian duo of Alison Jackson and Clara \u00c9mond. Finally, Kiara Lylyk (Mayenne Monbana My Pie) closes out this long list of Canucks.<\/p>\n