Can anyone deny Remco Evenepoel's revenge and will Demi Vollering continue FDJ's dominance? - Analysing the favourites for Amstel Gold Race 2026
The Ardennes Classics kick off this Sunday at the Amstel Gold Race, with both the men's and women's pelotons taking on the first in the epic trio of races from Maastricht to Valkenburg in Dutch Limburg.
Defending champions Mattias Skjelmose and Mischa Bredewold are back for another tilt at the respective 257km and 157km courses, with plenty of punchy climbs such as the Bemelerberg and Cauberg set to separate the best from the rest.
Last year's men's race was among the very best of the season, with a thrilling chase ending in a three-up sprint where Skjelmose beat Evenepoel and Tadej Pogačar, who isn't racing in the Netherlands this year.
Men's race favourites:
Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe): The top favourite, Evenepoel's debut at the Amstel Gold Race last year ended in third place, but he enters this edition with more familiarity. He's had a strong start to the season with three successive wins in Spain and a time trial win at the UAE Tour. His last race was the Tour of Flanders, where he finished third behind Pogačar and Mathieu van der Poel. With no cobbles in Dutch Limburg, Evenepoel is on favoured terrain and expected to be firing on all cylinders.
Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek): Skjelmose won the race last year and now has the number one on his back, proving his capabilities. He's extended his contract with Lidl-Trek through 2028, and his early-season form has been patchy, with seventh at Volta a Catalunya and 14th at Itzulia Basque Country. However, he finished second behind Paul Seixas on stage 2 at Itzulia, and the absence of Juan Ayuso due to illness gives him an opportunity to shine.
Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike): Jorgenson has a strong contender in Matteo Jorgensen, who has a solid start to the year with fourth at Faun Ardèche, second at Faun Drome Classic, eighth at Strade Bianche, and second overall at Tirreno Adriatico. With Wout van Aert not racing on Sunday, Visma has the inspiration of his Paris-Roubaix win, and Jorgenson is backed by Per Strand Hagenes and Ben Tulett.
Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ United): Grégoire has already proven his ability at the Amstel Gold Race, taking seventh last year from 12th the season before. His flying start to the season includes a win at the Faun Drome Classic, second place at Trofeo Laigueglia, and fourth place at Strade Bianche. A first one-day WorldTour victory seems within reach for this top French talent.
Brady Gilmore (NSN Pro Cycling): Gilmore, a neo-pro, is an outside chance with his form in punchy circuit races. He surprised with a podium finish in the final two stages of the Tour Down Under and third at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. His result at the Volta a Catalunya, where he beat Evenepoel on the punchy Montjuïc circuit, further cements his potential.
Women's race favourites:
Demi Vollering (FDJ United-SUEZ): Vollering is the perennial favourite, with a winning objective. She's had a strong season with four victories and a close second. Despite her least successful Amstel Gold Race in recent seasons, she has a victory and two second places to her name. Fresh off her first Tour of Flanders victory, Vollering is in incredible form and expected to be a top contender.
Mischa Bredewold (SD Worx-Protime): Bredewold, who won last year's Amstel Gold Race solo, is a strong contender. She has a top ten finish at the Tour of Flanders and is looked upon as a key leader for her team as the hillier Classics unfold. Her team has multiple strong players, allowing her to take chances.
Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime): Wiebes, a former winner, is part of a strong team with Bredewold and Anna van der Breggen. She has elite form, bouncing back from a crash at the Tour of Flanders to take sixth at Paris-Roubaix. If the race comes down to a group finish, Wiebes is a strong bet.
Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto): Niewiadoma-Phinney, another former winner, has three podium finishes at this race. With a strong team by her side, she's expected to make it if the race comes down to a solo or small group finish. Her powerful start to the season includes second places in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Strade Bianche.
Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike): Vos, the only rider to have won the women's Amstel Gold Race twice, is a strong contender despite a challenging season off the bike. Her experience and winning drive make her a force to be reckoned with, and her runner-up spot at Paris-Roubaix indicates her strong form.
