New race director at the Amstel Gold Race: Former world champion Tom Dumoulin succeeds Leo van Vliet

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Van Vliet steps down, Dumoulin succeeds him

Van Vliet has been at the helm of the race since 1996. After Hermann Krott, he was only the second race director in the 60-year history of the race since 1966. During his tenure, he introduced the successful grassroots version "Toerversie" and established a race for women. After the next edition, the 35-year-old Dumoulin will take over responsibility for the only race in the Netherlands that is part of the most important World Tour racing series. The Dutchman, who comes from the Limburg region where the race is held, ended his career as a racing cyclist in 2022. He was previously world champion in the individual time trial in 2017, won the Giro d'Italia in the same year and finished second in the 2018 Tour de France. He also won Olympic silver twice, in 2016 and 2021, in the race against the clock. "The Astel Gold Race is a race that has given me a lot, both personally and in sporting terms. For me, the fact that I am to lead the race from 2027 and follow in the footsteps of Herman Krott and Leo van Vliet is a great honour and responsibility," said Dumoulin.

"The 60th edition is the right time to hand over the baton to the next generation," said van Vliet according to the organiser's press release. The race has been part of the portfolio of race organiser Flanders Classics since 2025, which is now the most important organiser in road cycling alongside the French Tour organiser ASO and RCS in Italy (e.g. Giro d'Italia).