{"id":614245,"date":"2026-04-19T10:28:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-19T10:28:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/614245\/"},"modified":"2026-04-19T10:28:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T10:28:17","slug":"amstel-gold-race-ladies-edition-live-a-breakaway-of-three-riders-lead-the-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/614245\/","title":{"rendered":"Amstel Gold Race Ladies Edition LIVE: A breakaway of three riders lead the race"},"content":{"rendered":"

Refresh <\/p>\n

2026-04-19T10:26:54.975Z<\/p>\n

Nijssen, Steigenga and Franz still have around 50 seconds lead.<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T10:26:40.463Z<\/p>\n

Once over the line we start three laps of 17.8km, the final lap is slightly longer. We have a fast descent to the bottom of the Geulhemmerberg, which is steep, but smooth and an even gradient.<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T10:21:46.423Z<\/p>\n

The Cauberg makes for a tricky finish to Amstel. The finish in Berg en Terblijt comes 1.4km after the top, making for some fascinating tactics on the climb and the ensuing flat.
But that’s still 75km away!<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T10:20:18.861Z<\/p>\n

Onto the race’s signature climb, Cauberg and always the scene of some action, though this is only the first of five ascents.<\/p>\n

Cauberg #1<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T10:14:38.335Z<\/p>\n

Into Valkenburg now and Cauberg is next. It might be the first the race see on the circuit but it’s actually the final climb of the lap and the race. 900m at 6.9% it ramps up to 12%!<\/p>\n

80km to go<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T10:12:22.196Z<\/p>\n

Souren and Lylyk are caught while Nijssen, Steigenga and Franz only have 50 seconds lead.<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T10:10:52.177Z<\/p>\n

We’re now on the higher ground above Valkenburg and about the join the finishing circuit. It features three climbs, the Geulhemmerberg and Bemelerberg, but the first they encounter is the Cauberg which they’ll ride five times. None of these climbs are long, but they’re steep and it’s the repetition which makes for a hard day.<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T10:07:21.578Z<\/p>\n

We’re on the Keutenberg now and things are happening.<\/p>\n

Nijssen, Steigenga and Franz still lead the main peloton but only by 1.45, Souren and Lylyk are about 30 seconds behind the leaders.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T10:01:47.969Z<\/p>\n

In fact, there are already some splits showing in the peloton. The pace appears to be up.<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T10:00:25.290Z<\/p>\n

We’re not only heading in towards Valkenburg and the closing laps, but to the Keutenberg too. This one is 1.3km at an average of 6.2% average, depending on how this is ridden some could be dropped here.<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T09:57:28.518Z<\/p>\n

Souren and Lylyk have both been dropped from the leading group. Only three remain now, though their lead is still a healthy one at 2.45<\/p>\n

\n

\"The\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T09:53:22.546Z<\/p>\n

Next up is the Fromberg, but this one is perhaps the easiest remaining climb of today’s race.<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T09:51:37.467Z<\/p>\n

Over the Eyserbosweg and the five leaders have increased their lead marginally, it’s now out to 2,49.<\/p>\n

90km to go<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T09:48:38.795Z<\/p>\n

Straight after the Kruisberg comes the Eyserbosweg, which could see some moves from behind. It one kilometre and over 8% average.<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T09:44:37.814Z<\/p>\n

We’ve had a couple of crashes in the bunch but everyone is back up and riding.<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T09:43:58.888Z<\/p>\n

The climbs come thick and fast now. Today’s Kruisberg is a different one to that in the Tour of Flanders and it’s not as challenging either, but it is coming in the next few kilometres.<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T09:40:59.670Z<\/p>\n

Nijssen, Steigenga, Lylyk, Franz and Souren continue to lead, but the peloton is closing in at only 2.30 behind. Quinn and Grit have been caught by the bunch.<\/p>\n

\n

\"The\n<\/p>\n

The peloton during the 12th Amstel Gold Race Ladies Edition 2026 (Photo by Luc Claessen\/Getty Images) (Image credit: Getty Images)
\n100km to go<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T09:35:14.259Z<\/p>\n

The gaps remain the same as we head onto the Nijswillerweg. This climb really isn’t too tough, it’s only 500m in length and less than 4% average gradient.<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T09:31:01.187Z<\/p>\n

The leaders’ advantage over the peloton is out to more than three minutes now, but the chasers are losing firepower, with Van Dam dropped and they’ve drifted out to more than two minutes from the front.<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T09:27:31.827Z<\/p>\n

We’re very close to the Bergsweg, Korenweg and Nijswillerweg now. The first is in 2km and all three are done and dusted within 7km.<\/p>\n

110km to go <\/p>\n

2026-04-19T09:21:40.172Z<\/p>\n

In the peloton, Katie Scott has an amazing journey to the Amstel Gold Race today.
Having stepped back from the sport for a while, this year she’s been racing in the UK or the ParalloyRT club team. Last Sunday she won the East Cleveland Classic, this week she signed for the Continental DAS-Hutchinson Continental team and today she’s racing a WorldTour race!<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T09:17:42.534Z<\/p>\n

At last the break has been allowed some leeway.
Nijssen, Steigenga, Lylyk, Franz and Souren have increased their lead to 2’20 over the bunch, with Quinn, Grit and Van Dam righ tin the middle between them.<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T09:13:12.649Z<\/p>\n

The peloton continue to keep the breakaway in a tight leash.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Five\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T09:11:17.779Z<\/p>\n

Enjoying our live race coverage? Subscribe to Cyclingnews for an all-access pass to our unrivalled reporting of WorldTour racing, bike tech and exclusive in-depth features. Plus, access to the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on-the-go! Find out more.<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-04-19T09:09:11.312Z<\/p>\n

There’s no change reported at the front of the race, with Nijssen, Steigenga, Lylyk, Franz and Souren still leading by 1.30 and Quinn, Grit and Van Dam struggling to gain on them.<\/p>\n

120km to go<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T08:58:47.681Z<\/p>\n

Van Dam has been active all spring, getting in breakaways wherever she can and showing the world her aggressive style.<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T08:58:12.857Z<\/p>\n

More action in the bunch. Nijssen, Steigenga, Lylyk, Franz and Souren now lead by 1.30 but they have three chasers. Quinn has been joined by Citymesh-Customm team mates, Ilse Grit and Yonna van Dam, though they over a minute behind the lead.<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T08:54:57.794Z<\/p>\n

The second climb of the day is the Bergsweg, coming with 108km remaining, so the race has some time when it can settle. Bergsweg is quickly followed by Korenweg and Nijswillerweg.<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T08:51:49.962Z<\/p>\n

The leaders’ advantage remains less than 40 seconds, though De Grave has been caught by the peloton. Quinn remains alone in the gap.<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T08:47:05.752Z<\/p>\n

It’s all change at the front now.<\/p>\n

Annelies Nijssen (Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9) has been joined by Nicole Steigena (AG Insurance-Soudal), Kiara Lylyk (Mayenne-Monbana-My Pie), Heidi Franz (St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93) andScarlett Souren (VolkerWessels)<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

They lead the bunch by only 35 seconds, with Natalie Quinn (Mayenne-Monbana-My Pie) and Britt De Grave (Citymesh-Customm) in the gap chasing.<\/p>\n

135km to go<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T08:38:50.008Z<\/p>\n

The bunch is flying along which is why no breakaway had been able to form so far, but now Annelies Nijssen (Lotto-Intermarch\u00e9) is just over 30 seconds off the front.<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T08:34:34.438Z<\/p>\n

We’re onto the day’s first climb, the Maasberg. It’s a gentle introduction, only 300m at 4.1% average gradient.<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T08:32:54.958Z<\/p>\n

It’s not the been the kind of spring Classics campaign we’ve come to expect from SD Worx-Protime though.
It seems they’ve been playing catch up. <\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"A\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)
\n145km to go.<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T08:29:14.410Z<\/p>\n

Last year it was Mischa Bredewold’s turn to take the win.<\/p>\n

The SD Worx-Protime rider rode a brave race and held off the chasers to win alone.<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"BERG\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)
\n<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T08:25:41.187Z<\/p>\n

Surely European champion, Demi Vollering (FDJ United-SUEZ) is one of the favourites for today’s race? She and her team have been flying this year.<\/p>\n

Will she continue FDJ United-SUEZ’s dominance? <\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"Demi\n<\/p>\n

Demi Vollering (FDJ United-SUEZ) before the 2026 Amstel Gold Race (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T08:23:06.539Z<\/p>\n

It’s not only the repeated climbs which will present problems today, the wind could too. Blowing at around 16km\/h there’ll be stronger gusts, though at least there’s no rain forecast.<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T08:19:38.808Z<\/p>\n

The first of those climbs is the Maasberg, coming after 13.2km and there are seven more before we join the closing circuit.<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T08:17:36.228Z<\/p>\n

Today is far from flat, in fact it’s lumpy all day long, with 22 classified climbs and close to 2,000m of vertical ascent.<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T08:16:03.781Z<\/p>\n

The flag has dropped and we’re racing.<\/p>\n

158.1km to go!<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T08:13:59.618Z<\/p>\n

We start in the centre of Maastricht, head east across the Meuse river before looping north, then east, before heading into Valkenburg and up the race’s signature climb, the Cauberg. We cross the line for the first time with 73km to go, then ride four laps.<\/p>\n

Lovely atmosphere in Maastricht this morning! \ud83e\udd70 #AGR26 #AGRwomen pic.twitter.com\/vsqhL3SAMxApril 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-04-19T08:11:21.859Z<\/p>\n

And we’re rolling for the opening 1.8km of neutral before the race gets going.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Mischa\n<\/p>\n

Defending champion Mischa Bredewold (SD Worx-Protime) waves to the crowds when signing on for the 2026 Amstel Gold Race. (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T08:03:02.783Z<\/p>\n

And we have a birthday in the peloton today. Noemi R\u00fcegg (EF Education-Oatly) celebrates pre-race with team mate and World Champion Magdeleine Vallieres.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Noemi\n<\/p>\n

Noemi Ruegg of Switzerland and Magdeleine Vallieres of EF Education-Oatly prior to the 12th Amstel Gold Race Ladies Edition 2026. (Photo by Luc Claessen\/Getty Images) (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T07:56:29.491Z<\/p>\n

Both of them are on the start line today for the 12th edition of Amstel Gold Race.<\/p>\n

They’re among a star studded list of winners over the years.<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"The\n<\/p>\n

Mischa Bredewold (SD Worx-Protime) tops the podium at the 2025 Amstel Gold Race (Image credit: Getty Images)
\n<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T07:52:50.298Z<\/p>\n

Amstel Gold Race is now the only one day Women’s WorldTour race in the Netherlands after the loss of the Ronde van Drenthe. Held in the far north east of the country, Drenthe ran between 2007 and ’24. Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) was the record winner with four victories, with Marianne Vos (VIsma-Lease a Bike ) second with three.<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T07:48:25.146Z<\/p>\n

Marianne Vos is the only women to have won the race more than once, the Visma-Lease a Bike rider winning in 2021 and 2024.<\/p>\n

The #AGRwomen record holder is ready! \ud83d\udcaa #AGR26 pic.twitter.com\/hvp4brGUaoApril 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-04-19T07:45:25.341Z<\/p>\n

Enjoying our live race coverage? Subscribe to Cyclingnews for an all-access pass to our unrivalled reporting of WorldTour racing, bike tech and exclusive in-depth features. Plus, access to the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on-the-go! Find out more.<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-04-19T07:45:07.793Z<\/p>\n

Of course this isn’t the first of the hilly races, we had Brabantse Pijl on Friday and what a race that was!<\/p>\n

C\u00e9lia Gery (FDJ United-SUEZ) scored a real breakthrough and continued the team’s domination.<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"2026\n<\/p>\n

C\u00e9lia Gery (FDJ United-SUEZ) wins Brabantse-Pijl 2026 (Image credit: Getty Images)
\n<\/p>\n

2026-04-19T07:38:48.915Z<\/p>\n

Today’s race is an early one, we roll out of the beautiful surroundings of the Markt in Maastricht at 10:10 local time for 1.8km of neutral before 158.1km of racing.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Team\n<\/p>\n

It was an early start for Marianne Vos and her Visma-Lease a Bike team (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Good morning, it’s an early start for our live coverage of Amstel Gold Race, as the peloton shifts from the cobbles of Flanders to the hills of the southern Netherlands and the province of Limburg.<\/p>\n

Please follow our community guidelines<\/a>.” data-join-the-conversation-text=”Join the Conversation”><\/p>\n

You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n

Logout<\/p>\n