EUROTRASH: Amstel Gold 2026 Preview: Remco’s Revenge?

The 2026 Amstel Gold Race is poised to be a highly unpredictable one-day event in the spring cycling calendar. With prominent riders like Pogačar, Wout, and Van der Poel absent, Remco Evenepoel is set to compete in the Dutch hills, seeking redemption against the reigning champion, Mattias Skjelmose. In other news, Tim Merlier demonstrated his dominance in Flemish sprints with a commanding double victory at the Tour of Limburg. Early stages of O Gran Camiño have revealed surprising contenders for the General Classification. Furthermore, a survey indicates that 80% of PEZ readers believe Tadej Pogačar will eventually win Paris-Roubaix. The article also discusses the implications of the new Eschborn-Frankfurt course for the May 1st classic and provides an important update regarding tariff refunds for the bicycle industry.

Race Preview: Amstel Gold — Remco Plots His Revenge Against Skjelmose

Typically, when Remco Evenepoel loses a one-day race, it’s to Tadej Pogačar, as was the case last year at Amstel Gold. However, this time he also lost to Mattias Skjelmose. The 2025 Amstel Gold Race was unusual: Pogačar, who is not participating this year, lost a hilly race. Evenepoel helped bring Skjelmose back to Pogačar’s wheel, but Skjelmose secured a narrow victory, later expressing his satisfaction with just reaching the podium.

Amstel Gold is notoriously difficult to predict, especially without Pogačar on the start list. Examining past winners reveals a diverse range of rider strengths, including Pogačar himself, strong rouleurs like Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel, all-rounders such as Michał Kwiatkowski and four-time winner Philippe Gilbert, and even near-pure sprinters like Erik Zabel, and surprisingly, Frank Schleck.

The race, while lacking the prestige of the Tour of Flanders and its iconic bergs, offers a mixed field and a winding route that has led to a variety of winners. Despite the route’s tendency for unpredictable outcomes, Remco Evenepoel remains the favored pick, especially as he increasingly focuses on one-day races. With neither Wout van Aert nor Mathieu van der Poel competing, Evenepoel’s main threats include former winner Skjelmose, Visma’s Christophe Laporte and Sepp Kuss, Ben Healy, who is looking to make an impact after a quiet spring, and Romain Grégoire, who has been consistently close to podium finishes.

Potential dark horses include Quinn Simmons, who has expressed a desire to podium, although he would defer to his teammate Skjelmose if necessary. Other strong contenders are Ion Izagirre, who is in excellent form in 2026, Tim van Dijke (if Evenepoel faces issues), and Tim Wellens, returning after an injury.

Although a Dutch race named after a beer might not have the same prestige as a Belgian race named after a region or battlefield, the Amstel Gold Race promises exciting and unpredictable racing.

RACE NEWS

Reader Poll Results: It’s Just a Matter of Time for Pog at Paris-Roubaix

Contrary to popular opinion, the author believes Tadej Pogačar may never win Paris-Roubaix, citing the race’s demanding nature as a “strongman’s race” that even Pogačar’s talent might not overcome. However, the majority of readers (80%) disagree, with nearly 20% predicting a win for him next year. Pogačar has come close in his previous two attempts, and mechanical issues may have cost him a chance to outsprint Wout van Aert. His main rivals are older, and the next generation of top talent seems to be more focused on climbing and general classification.

Merlier Masters the Cobbles: A Dominant Double at the Tour of Limburg

Tim Merlier has solidified his position as the premier sprinter in Flemish cycling, achieving his second career victory at the Tour of Limburg. As the pre-race favorite, Merlier executed a flawless long-range sprint, leaving his competitors behind. The race featured an early breakaway by 19-year-old Albert Withen Philipsen, who was eventually caught with 19 kilometers remaining due to punctures affecting several contenders. Late attacks by Cedric Beullens and Dries De Bondt were neutralized by the strong pace of the sprint teams, leading to a sprint in Tongeren. Merlier’s powerful acceleration secured his victory, with Fernando Gaviria and Floris Van Tricht completing the podium. Merlier’s dominance ahead of the Giro d’Italia is evident.

The Road to Glory: Local Heroes and Time Trial Shocks in Galicia

O Gran Camiño, a second-tier race known for its compelling competition, is living up to expectations in 2026. The five-day Galician tour began with a 15km individual time trial in A Coruña, won by Julius Johansen (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) in his first professional victory. Johansen finished 15 seconds ahead of Rafael Reis, with GC favorite Adam Yates in sixth place. Stage 2, a 148.6km route from Vilalba to Barreiros, saw a chaotic finale where local rider Carlos Canal (Movistar) took advantage of his home knowledge to win the sprint from a reduced lead group, securing his first pro win. Rafael Reis (Anicolor/Campicarn) took the overall lead due to his consistent performance. The race remains open as it heads into the hilly Stage 3.

Bigger Names Means a Bigger Race at Eschborn-Frankfurt 2026

The 2026 Eschborn-Frankfurt race is set to be the most challenging in recent years, with 21 teams, including 16 WorldTour squads, confirming their participation. The 211.4 km course features over 3,300 meters of climbing, including two ascents of the Feldberg and a revised Taunus section, designed to favor strong all-around riders over sprinters. The startlist reflects this, with riders like Julian Alaphilippe, Marc Hirschi, Magnus Cort Nielsen, Pello Bilbao, and defending champion Søren Kragh Andersen, alongside German contenders Max Schachmann and Nils Politt, and veteran John Degenkolb. Sporting Director Fabian Wegmann emphasized the increased demands of the new course, which has influenced team selections. With wildcards for Unibet Rose Rockets and TotalEnergies, an aggressive and unpredictable race is expected into Frankfurt’s Alte Oper.

TEAM, RIDER AND CYCLING NEWS

Cyclists and Bike Industry: New Process to Reclaim Tariff Refunds

An important update for the bike industry: U.S. Customs and Border Protection will begin accepting tariff refund requests through a new automated system, CAPE, starting April 20, 2026. Valid refunds are expected within 60–90 days. Importers can request refunds for certain unliquidated entries and entries liquidated within the past 80 days (on or after January 30, 2026). However, reconciliation entries, drawback claims, entries under protest, and AD/CVD entries are not eligible. PeopleForBikes recommends filing protests and exploring litigation options before the February 2027 deadline, as Phase 1 may not cover all paid tariffs. Contact Dr. Ash Lovell or Matt Moore at PeopleForBikes for guidance.

This article was originally posted on PezCycling News.