Tom Dumoulin to become race director of a historic race from 2027 onwards

In 2022, Tom Dumoulin stepped away from professional cycling as one of the standout riders of the previous decade, having won the 2017 Giro d’Italia, become a time trial world champion, and a multiple stage winner at the Giro, Tour de France and Vuelta a España. His command of the bike was striking, and he hasn’t wanted to stay far from competition for long.

From 2027, Dumoulin will become the new race director of the Amstel Gold Race. The reason? Leo van Vliet will step down after the 60th edition of what remains, to this day, the only WorldTour Classic in the Netherlands, held in April, one of the most intense months on the calendar.

Tom Dumoulin will take over next year, as announced by the race organisation on Wednesday, the same day Simon Yates confirmed his surprise retirement from professional cycling.

"It’s truly extraordinary to realise I’ve had the chance to oversee 30 editions as race director," said Van Vliet at a press conference. It was held at In den Ouden Vogelstruys, on Maastricht’s Vrijthof square, where the idea for the international cycling race was born in 1965. "The 60th edition in 2026 feels like the ideal moment to pass the baton to a new generation," he added.

"The Amstel Gold Race is a race that has given me so much, both personally and athletically," said Tom Dumoulin, 35, about the exciting challenge he now faces in his current professional chapter within cycling. "Being entrusted with directing this race from 2027, following in the footsteps of Herman Krott and Leo van Vliet [Amstel’s first race director], is a great honour and a big responsibility. I look forward to working with the team to continue the rich tradition of this unique Classic," he concluded.

In 2025, the Amstel Gold Race was one of the best races of the season. That edition saw Mattias Skjelmose outsprint Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel after, together with the Belgian, reeling in a long-range attack by the Slovenian.