Back to the VAM Berg
The VAM Berg is one of the best-known hills in the Netherlands, and one of the hallmarks of the Miron Ronde Van Drenthe. Built on a former dump, the VAM Berg reaches 48 meters above sea level and is the highest point in the province of Drenthe, otherwise completely flat.
While the men's Ronde Van Drenthe is part of the third division of world cycling (1.1), the women's event has been consolidated as a Women's WorldTour race since the establishment of the WWT in 2016, and in Cycling Fantasy, is the only race that counts for the combined cobblestone classification to be held in the Netherlands.
The route
The Miron Ronde Van Drenthe presents a 152 km course, what makes it one of the longest races of the year. The route is divided into two clear halves: the first 60 kilometers include 9 cobbled sectors, while the second part is eminently flat, with the only difficulty being the three climbs to the VAM-Berg (0.4 km at 9.7%). The last of the climbs is located 44 kilometers from the finish line, so there is plenty of terrain for the sprinters' teams to get organized and work towards a sprint finish. The race adds only 416 meters of elevation gain.
The favorites
Lorena Wiebes (1200) has won the last two editions of the race and starts as the great favorite for a third consecutive victory, now defending the colors of SD Worx. Her teammate Lotte Kopecky (1000), Elisa Balsamo (1000), Charlotte Kool (400), Marta Bastianelli (800), Alison Jackson (800), Sofia Bertizzolo (800), Chiara Consonni (600), Coryn Rivera (Labecky)( 600), Lotta Henttala (Lepistö) (200) and Nina Kessler (200) are also among the favorites.