Ronde van Drenthe
 | |
| Race details | |
|---|---|
| Date | Early-March |
| Region | Drenthe, Netherlands |
| English name | Tour of Drenthe |
| Local name(s) | Ronde van Drenthe |
| Discipline | Road race |
| Competition | UCI Europe Tour |
| Type | Single day race |
| Web site | www |
| History (men) | |
| First edition | 1960 |
| Editions | 62 (as of 2023) |
| Final edition | 2023 |
| First winner |  Jurrie Dokter (NED) |
| Most wins | Henk Mutsaars (NED) Ron Snijders (NED) Allard Engels (NED) Anthony Theus (NED) Rudie Kemna (NED) (2 wins) |
| Final winner |  Per Strand Hagenes (NOR) |
| History (women) | |
| First edition | 2008 |
| Editions | 17 (as of 2024) |
| First winner | Adrie Visser (NED) |
| Most wins | Lorena Wiebes (NED) (4 wins) |
| Final winner | Lorena Wiebes (NED) |
Ronde van Drenthe (English: Tour of Drenthe) was an elite men's and women's professional road bicycle racing event held annually in the Drenthe, Netherlands and sanctioned by the Royal Dutch Cycling Union. The women's event was part of the UCI Women's World Tour, and the men's event was part of the UCI Europe Tour.
In 2024, organisers announced that the race had been cancelled, owing to increasing costs, regulations and lack of support from the police.[1]
History
Men's event
The race was first held in 1960 as an amateur event.[2] Since 2005, the men's event has been part of the UCI Europe Tour. It became a 1.HC race in 2017.[3]
Between 2010 and 2015, Dwars door Drenthe was held on the same weekend as the Ronde van Drenthe.[4] In 2011, Ronde van Drenthe and Dwars door Drenthe were held as a combined stage race, with each day retaining its own branding. The events reverted to being separate events in 2012.
In November 2023, organisers announced that the men's race would not be held from 2024 onwards.[5] The women's event would continue. Organisers stated the cancellation was due to increasing costs, regulations and lack of support from the police.[1]
Women's event
A women's event was first held in 1998 as Novilon Eurocup, a one-day race.[6] Between 2003 and 2006, this was held as a three day event.[7][8]
In 2007, these three stages were replaced by three one-day races - the Novilon Eurocup, Drenthe 8 of Dwingeloo and Ronde van Drenthe.[9][10][11] In 2015, the Novilon Eurocup was held for the last time, and the Drenthe 8 became Drentse 8 van Westerveld.
The first edition of Ronde van Drenthe in 2007 was part of the UCI Women's Road World Cup,[10] and the race became part of the UCI Women's World Tour in 2016. Dutch rider Lorena Wiebes won the event four times in a row from 2021 to 2024.
In 2024, organisers announced that the women's race would not be held from 2025 onwards, thereby cancelling the event. Organisers stated the cancellation was due to increasing costs, regulations and lack of support from the police.[1]
Route
The races used generally flat roads in the Drenthe region of the Netherlands, with the challenge being multiple ascents of the VAM-berg – a hill built on a landfill site. The climb was 750m in length with an average gradient of 4.2% and a maximum gradient of 20%.[12] Other difficulties were the ten cobbled sections on the route.[13]
Men's past winners
Women's past winners
Novilon Eurocup
Drentse 8 van Dwingeloo / Acht van Westerveld
Ronde van Drenthe
Source[17]
References
- ^ a b c Mitchell, Mathew (2024-07-12). "The end of Ronde van Drenthe: A historic race bows out". ProCyclingUK.com. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ dotsolutions. "Jurrie Dokter wint na slimme sprint de allereerste Ronde van Drenthe in 1960". Ronde van Drenthe. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
- ^ "Ronde van Drenthe krijgt HC status, Veenendaal-Veenendaal krijgt editie voor vrouwen". WielerFlits (in Dutch). 2017-09-21. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
- ^ "News shorts: Chavanel interested in Hour Record, Giant hoping to tie down Dumoulin". cyclingnews.com. 2015-09-22. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
Dwars door Drenthe axed
- ^ Mitchell, Mathew (2023-11-10). "Men's Ronde van Drenthe disappears from 2024 cycling calendar but Women's race to continue". ProCyclingUK.com. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ Been, José (2020-03-12). "Preview: The Classics continue at the Ronde van Drenthe". CyclingTips. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
- ^ "Novilon Internationale Damesronde van Drenthe". autobus.cyclingnews.com. 13 April 2003. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
- ^ "Novilon Internationale Damesronde van Drenthe". autobus.cyclingnews.com. 9 April 2006. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
- ^ "Novilon Internationale Damesronde van Drenthe". autobus.cyclingnews.com. 8 April 2007. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
- ^ a b "www.cyclingnews.com presents the Ronde van Drenthe". autobus.cyclingnews.com. 14 April 2007. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
- ^ "Drentse 8 van Dwingeloo - W1.1". autobus.cyclingnews.com. 12 April 2007. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
- ^ Jary, Rachel (9 March 2022). "Ronde van Drenthe 2022 - Route, Predictions and Contenders". Rouleur. Retrieved 2022-04-29.
- ^ "Ronde van Drenthe tussen hoop en vrees". Ronde van Drenthe. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
- ^ "Uitslagen Ronde van Drenthe" (PDF).
- ^ "Palmares Albert Achterhes Profronde van Drenthe". www.procyclingstats.com. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
- ^ "News for April 7, 2001". autobus.cyclingnews.com. 7 April 2001. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
Both the men's and women's versions of the Ronde van Drenthe, scheduled for April 7, have been cancelled. The reason given is the Foot and Mouth outbreak in the Netherlands, that caused the cancellation of several other races recently.
- ^ "Palmares Miron Ronde van Drenthe". www.procyclingstats.com. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
External links
- Official website (in Dutch)