AMSTERDAM -After a 20-year hiatus, the Tour of the Netherlands cycling raceis poised to make a comeback on the professional calendar. The multi-day race, tentatively titled the Tour of Holland, is aiming for a launch in October2025, according to reports from NOS.
TIG Sports, the driving force behind the revival, has secured the support of major Dutch cycling teams, includingVisma-Lease a Bike and DSM-Firmenich-PostNL, and the Dutch cycling association KNWU. The KNWU has officially requested the race be included in next year’s calendar, and the international cycling association UCIis expected to announce the final schedule later this month in Zurich.
The Tour of Holland will feature a prologue and five stages, all held within the Netherlands. Unlike previous iterations, the stages will be run as local circuits, allowing spectators tosee the riders pass by multiple times. This format, according to TIG managing partner Niels Markensteijn, will reduce logistical burdens on authorities and enhance the viewing experience.
The race will begin at a 2.1 status, the third level of multi-day professional cycling competitions. TIG Sports has ambitious plans to elevate the Tour ofHolland to the highest level, the World Tour, in the coming years.
With the race’s inclusion on the calendar seemingly assured, organizers will now focus on securing sponsors and finalizing stage locations with local governments.
The return of the Tour of the Netherlands marks a significant moment for Dutch cycling, rekindlinga tradition that saw Erik Dekker claim the last victory in 2004. The race’s comeback promises to attract top cyclists and further solidify the Netherlands’ position as a cycling powerhouse.
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