Ronde van Drenthe, one of the oldest races in the cycling calendar, will no longer take place. This decision, announced during a meeting with the organisers, municipalities, and the province of Drenthe, is due to increasing costs and regulations, as well as a lack of police support. The trend reflects the challenges standalone volunteer organisations face at this level.
The race, dating back to 1960, saw its first winner in Jurre Dokter. The last name in the winners’ list, for now, is Per Strand Hagenes, who won in 2023. Notable riders like Hennie Kuiper, Karsten Kroon, Rudie Kemna, Erik Dekker, Kenny van Hummel, Jan Willem van Schip, and Pim Ligthart have graced the event. Drenthe locals such as Allard Engels, Dick Dekker, Richard Luppes, and Bert-Jan Lindeman also claimed victories. The race, recently named after its founder Albert Achterhes, also included the Dwars door Drenthe.
The women’s race, which started as a multi-day event but evolved into one of the oldest World Cup/Women’s World Tour races, gained international fame. The winners’ list boasts stars like Emma Johansson, Marianne Vos (three times), Lizzie Armitstead (as was when she won the race), Jolien d’Hoore, Amalie Dideriksen, Marta Bastianelli, and notably Lorena Wiebes, who won the last four editions. The sister race, Acht van Westerveld/Drentse 8, saw Sofie van Rooijen taking victory this year.
The challenges faced by the event were underscored by the increasingly difficult task of organising the race, particularly for the elderly Femmy van Issum and her support, Huub. Last year, the men’s race was cancelled, and the women’s race was reduced to a lap over the Col du VAM due to police escort issues. The rising costs became a significant burden, and the race could not keep up in a world dominated by professionally run events.
Races like Vargarda abroad have also been lost, and the Amstel Gold Race has now partnered with Flanders Classics. Major organising bodies like ASO and RCS are taking over, focusing on publicity and market value. Top riders now prefer winning events like Brugge-De Panne and, soon, Milan-San Remo, which previously ignored women’s racing, over the Ronde van Drenthe or Trofeo Alfredo Binda.
A few years ago, a new direction for the race was possible, but after leading the race for so long, no-one felt able to ask Van Issum to step back. Attempts to do so were either ignored or stifled. Although new cycling initiatives are being developed behind the scenes in Drenthe, it is feared that the Ronde van Drenthe will only continue as a touring event.