Dwars Door Drenthe also opens the Dutch road cycling season in 2026. Like last year, the race starts in Assen, but this time Assen is also the finish location of this cycling classic held on Saturday, 28 February.
Deputy Bart van Dekken: “In Drenthe we love cycling. It is great that here, in the Cycling Province of Drenthe, the Dutch cycling season starts with Dwars Door Drenthe. Together with municipalities, volunteers and spectators, we kick off the season.”
The route
The route is 171 kilometers long and passes through nine Drenthe municipalities. Among others, places like Dwingeloo, Ruinen, Drijber, Odoorn, Emmen, Exloo, Gasselte and Borger can expect passings. Along the way, near Exloo and Borger, there are two sections totaling fifteen kilometers over the well-known Drenthe flinten, or cobblestones. The Col du VAM is climbed once during the route.
Program in Assen
Koopmansplein is the place where various activities take place throughout the day. At 9:30 AM the team presentation is held and at 10:30 AM the race starts. For children and youth, there are activities all day long. There are balance bike clinics and races, and a pump track by Assen Sportstad. The finish is expected around 3:30 PM on Hoofdlaan.
Participants
At the start of this national classic - secured by the Motor Escort Team (MBT) Assen - all Dutch-oriented continental cycling teams such as Metec-Solarwatt, VolkerWessels and Parkhotel Valkenburg and the best club teams of our country participate. Also with a strong Drenthe representation. The previous edition was won by Roy Hoogendoorn of Metec-Solarwatt.
More information and the route can be found at: https://courage-events.nl/ (refers to another website)
