Valkenburg, Netherlands — April 19, 2026
Belgian cyclist Remco Evenepoel secured a dramatic victory at the 2026 Amstel Gold Race, outsprinting Denmark’s Mattias Skjelmose in a thrilling finale after 257.2 kilometers of grueling racing from Maastricht to Valkenburg. The win came in the absence of cycling superstar Tadej Pogacar, who had dominated the event in recent years.
A Battle Over 33 Climbs
The race unfolded over 33 punishing climbs, with the decisive moment coming in a head-to-head duel between Evenepoel and Skjelmose, the defending champion. The Belgian, riding for the German Red Bull team, showcased his sprinting prowess to edge out the Dane in the final meters.
Skjelmose had stunned the cycling world in 2025 by defeating both Evenepoel, the time trial world champion, and Pogacar in a surprise sprint finish. This year, however, Evenepoel turned the tables, adding a third Amstel Gold Race title to his previous wins in 2022 and 2023.
Pogacar’s Absence and Historical Context
Pogacar, a three-time winner of the race (2021, 2024, 2025), was notably absent from this year’s edition, leaving the field open for a new showdown. Evenepoel’s victory further cements his status as one of the sport’s top contenders, particularly in one-day classics.
The rivalry between Evenepoel and Pogacar has been a highlight of recent seasons, with the Belgian now holding two wins to Pogacar’s three in the Amstel Gold Race. Their head-to-head battles have become a defining feature of the spring classics, though this year’s race offered a different narrative with Pogacar out of the picture.