During a press conference held today at the In den Ouden Vogelstruys café in Vrijthof Square in Maastricht, the location where the international cycling race was conceived in 1965, the Amstel Gold Race announced that the 60th edition of the race, scheduled for Sunday, April 19, will be the last to be held under Leo van Vliet's leadership as race director. From 2027, his successor will be Tom Dumoulin. This announcement marks the end of a very special era in the history of the only Dutch classic. After the first 30 editions (1966-1995) under Herman Krott's guidance, the Amstel Gold Race has been directed for the subsequent 30 editions (1996-2026) by Leo van Vliet. It is noteworthy that the event organization has had only two race directors in 60 years.

Leo van Vliet succeeded the race's founder, Herman Krott, in 1996, becoming a key figure in the Amstel Gold Race organization. Under his leadership, the race further developed into an unmissable event in the international cycling calendar and an essential stage of the UCI WorldTour. Van Vliet also made a decisive contribution to the creation of the Toerversie Amstel Gold Race, a highly successful event, and played a crucial role in adding a women's race to the Amstel Gold Race weekend, among many other achievements.

"It is truly extraordinary to realize that I have had the opportunity to experience 30 editions as race director," Van Vliet stated at the press conference. "The 60th edition in 2026 seems like the right time to pass the baton to a new generation".

Just as Krott chose Van Vliet as his successor in 1995, Van Vliet has chosen Tom Dumoulin as his successor. By selecting the former professional cyclist and Giro d'Italia winner, the organization is deliberately opting for a successor with international appeal, a strong profile, and a deep connection to Limburg and the Amstel Gold Race.

The future race director, Tom Dumoulin, expressed his honor at the appointment: "The Amstel Gold Race is a race that has given me so much, both personally and professionally. The fact that I have been entrusted with the task of directing this race from 2027, following in the footsteps of Herman Krott and Leo van Vliet, is a great honor and a great responsibility. I can't wait to work with the team to continue the rich tradition of this unique classic".

During the meeting, the organization expressed its deep appreciation for Leo van Vliet's decade-long commitment and emphasized its confidence in a successful future under Tom Dumoulin's leadership. Tomas Van Den Spiegel, CEO of Flanders Classics: "From 2025, Flanders Classics has been actively involved in organizing the Amstel Gold Race, which means we have collaborated intensively with Leo in recent years. During this collaboration, we have been able to witness firsthand how Leo has left his mark on this spring classic and with what passion he does so. We want to continue building on the foundations Leo has constructed over many years, and do so with respect. Both HEINEKEN Nederland, Amstel's parent company, and our organization see Tom, a native of Maastricht and Amstel Gold Race enthusiast, as the ideal successor with whom to develop a new long-term vision, following the examples of Leo and Herman Krott. But before turning our attention to the future, we are looking forward to an anniversary edition that will celebrate both the race and Leo".

The 60th edition of the Amstel Gold Race, which will take place on April 19, 2026, will therefore not only be a celebratory edition but also the historic conclusion of an era.