This Sunday, the peloton heads to the southernmost part of the Netherlands for one of cycling’s most unpredictable and tactical one-day races: the Amstel Gold Race. Winding through the narrow, punchy roads of Limburg with 34 climbs packed into just over 250km, the race is a constant battle for positioning, timing, and energy conservation.

The route features iconic ascents such as the Cauberg, Geulhemmerberg, and Bemelerberg—each offering launchpads for attacks and potential pitfalls. While the Cauberg is no longer the final climb, its inclusion in the closing circuits continues to shape the race’s rhythm and intensity.

Bahrain Victorious lines up with a strong squad capable of adapting to different scenarios throughout the race. Pello Bilbao brings vast experience and leads the line-up, while Santiago Buitrago has the characteristics to excel on this terrain.

Fred Wright and Nicolò Buratti offer attacking depth. Wright thrives on technical terrain and isn’t afraid to animate the race from distance, while Buratti is fast from a reduced group and continues to grow in confidence.

Local rider Mathijs Paasschens adds valuable knowledge of the Limburg roads and will play a key role early on, while Robert Stannard brings tactical awareness to help manage the pace and cover moves. Edoardo Zambanini adds crucial support in positioning and race control, keeping the leaders protected heading into the final circuits.

Directing the team is Roman Kreuziger, a former winner of Amstel Gold, who shared his thoughts ahead of the race:

“Amstel Gold is one of the most beautiful races on our calendar, and we’re really looking forward to tackling it with this group. I believe we have a strong squad—some experienced guys like Fred, who’s raced it several times, and Pello, who was our top finisher here last year. On the other hand, both Edoardo and Santiago will be lining up for the first time, which adds a different kind of energy.

There’s a big change in the finale compared to recent editions, and that could actually work in our favour. The key for us will be staying sharp and reading the race well. There are a few riders in the peloton who are clearly on a very high level, so we’ll need to be smart, anticipate their moves, and try to stay one step ahead.

Positioning will be crucial—Amstel is a race where every corner and every place in the bunch matters. Saving energy by staying near the front can make all the difference in the final. I’ll be asking the guys to stay active and alert all day. Pello is coming in with good form from the Basque Country and knows how to handle the positioning battles, especially around the Cauberg. Santiago might find it challenging with less experience here, but it’s a great opportunity for him to learn and grow in this kind of race environment. If we ride smart and race as a unit, we can do something special.”