The Amstel Gold Race is the only Dutch classic in professional cycling. Every year, many thousands of cycling tourists, cycling enthusiasts and other enthusiasts also take part in the road version, which takes place the day before the big race. In addition, you can enjoy the Amstel Gold Race for the other 363 days of the year by riding one of the three circuits. These circuits have been in place since 2009. When we participated ourselves in the Limburg were, We are sharing sections of the course, which is really beautiful. Now there is good news: the circuits have been updated and a new circuit has been added!
Start and end point Shimano Experience Center
One thing remains the same, however. The start and finish of all the loops are at the Shimano Experience Center, just outside the city center. Valkenburg. Of course, you can pick up the loops at any arbitrary point, as long as you have the GPX or follow the signs (with recognizable color scheme and numbering). A collaboration between the province of Limburg, Routepunt Zuid-Limburg and Shimano has resulted in an update, but also a new, fourth loop. This should also lead to a greater spread in the number of cycling enthusiasts who are active at the same time at certain points.
The course is developing, the routes are developing along with it
It’s nice to see that new routes have been developed. You might naturally wonder whether a new route will attract more or fewer tourists, but let’s not be a spoiler. As Leo van Vliet, course director of the AGR put it:“Over the past 15 years, we have seen that the Amstel Gold Race has been enthusiastically cycled on 365 routes. At the same time, we have never changed those routes, with a few minor details aside. A women’s race has been added, and both the men’s and women’s courses have undergone developments. Additionally, we see that various municipalities have invested in cycling infrastructure. By adding the new loop 4 and improving loop 1, we are investing in the distribution of cyclists across the entire region with the Amstel Gold Race.“
Upgrade of loop 1
Lus 1 is approximately 80 kilometers long and takes the cyclists through the Grensmaas Valley in particular. Approximately 560 meters of elevation gain are made in the municipalities of Meerssen, Stein, Beek and Sittard-Geleen. An ideal loop for the cyclist, who enjoys the tranquility and does not aim for a maximum number of elevation gains. In addition, it is also the ideal loop as a prelude to another loop, such as the final loop.
The new loop 4
The newest addition to the group, number 4, is as yet unknown. It measures 86 kilometers and alternates well-known ‘AGR municipalities’ with new, yet unknown ones. The route features approximately 750 meters of elevation gain over many climbs that are unknown to the general public. After the start in Valkenburg, the following municipalities are visited in succession: Beekdaelen, Sittard-Geleen, Brunssum, Landgraaf, Heerlen, Kerkrade, Simpelveld and Voerendaal.
New routes AGR 365
Below you will find a beautiful collection of routes from the old and new routes of the Amstel Gold Race 365. This way you can enjoy cycling all year round! More info? You can find it on the site of the Amstel Gold Race.
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.