From 2001 to 2003, three editions of the Amstel Gold Race for elite women were held. In 2003, it was part of the UCI Women's Road World Cup.[3] The race started in Maastricht 30 minutes after the men's. It was run over 114 kilometres (71mi), taking in nine climbs and similarly finishing on top of the Cauberg.[4] The race was discontinued after the third edition, because organization on the same day and on largely the same roads as the men's race was considered too difficult on the irregular circuits.
During the discontinuation of the Amstel Gold race for women, another women's elite professional cycling race, the Holland Hills Classic, was held in Limburg. The first years the race was held in August,[5] before moving to the spring in 2011. It had a similar route as the Amstel Gold Race and, likewise, finished in Berg en Terblijt, Valkenburg.[6] It was organized by the Stichting Holland Ladies Tour, which also organizes the Holland Ladies Tour. The race was a 1.1 UCI event and was discontinued after the 2016 edition when it became apparent there would be a rebooted Amstel Gold Race in 2017.[7]Marianne Vos won the event three times in 2007, 2009 and 2011.
Marianne Vos became the first two-time Amstel Gold Race winner after claiming victory in an incident-packed 2024 edition. After 46 kilometres, the race was paused following a road traffic accident ahead on the course involving a police motorbike. Due to the lengthy neutralisation, three laps of the finishing circuit were removed, leading the race to be restarted with just 54 kilometres (34mi) remaining. A large group came to the finish for a bunch sprint where Lorena Wiebes threw her arms up in celebration only for Vos to pip her with a bike throw to the line.[10]
As of the 2025 edition, the race is 157 kilometres (98mi) in length.[2]
There are 21 categorised climbs on the route, including four ascents of the iconic Cauberg which features as part of an 18-kilometre circuit around Valkenburg along with the Geulhemmerberg and Bemelerberg climbs. The final lap takes a slightly different route between the final ascents of the Bemelerberg and the Cauberg, following the route the men's race has taken in recent years over the narrow Mathieu van der Poel Allee.[2]
Categorised climbs in the 2025 Amstel Gold Race[2]
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Debby Mansveld (NED)
