Iconic climb returns to Amstel Gold race ahead of Pogacar vs Evenepoel showdown: “We have a generation that races differently than 10 years ago”

The 2025 edition of the Amstel Gold Race takes place this Sunday, and anticipation is high for what promises to be a thrilling showdown. Tadej Pogacar, Remco Evenepoel, and Wout van Aert headline a stacked field, with the Dutch classic once again positioned as a key battle in the Ardennes calendar.

This year’s race will feature 34 climbs across more than 250 kilometres, and notably, the iconic Cauberg will return to the final of the race for the first time since 2016.

Now under the organisation of Flanders Classics, the decision to reintroduce the Cauberg was a collaborative one. "It was a joint decision," explained CEO Tomas Van Den Spiegel to Sporza. "We have a generation that races differently than 10 years ago."

The move reflects a broader evolution in race dynamics over recent years, "The current generation races differently than 10 years ago, when it was decided to take the Cauberg out of the final lap. Back then, people waited for the final climb – like in la Fleche Wallonne – to pull out all the stops."

"We think that the current generation will not wait," he added. "Recent history and certainly the last few weeks of racing have shown that they are going from very far away."

Van Den Spiegel also highlighted the significance of the Cauberg for both the race and its fans. "The Cauberg is also the epicentre of the Amstel, where many spectators stand. It would be a shame not to reintegrate that if we think it is a good idea."

As Flanders Classics takes over the reins, their approach is one of careful, gradual development, "We now mainly want to see what is going well and what layer we can add with our expertise," said Van Den Spiegel.

"We think there is more in it than is currently being achieved. We do not have to do that too quickly and force it. There is already a very nice match, so we want to continue building on the fantastic story that Leo van Vliet has written over the past 30 years."

The goal, he says, is to enhance the event while preserving its heritage, "In the coming years we want to make it an even better competition step by step, without affecting the history and recognisability of Dutch Limburg."

Van Den Spiegel concluded by underlining the importance of the Amstel Gold Race to Dutch cycling as a whole, "The Amstel Gold Race must remain the engine of Dutch cycling. 15,000 people are already participating in the tour on Saturday. We are happy and honored that we can contribute to that."