The first stage of the new cycling race Tour of Holland has yet to be driven, but the province is already enthusiastic to have a stage take place here for the next two years.
On October 18, the Col du Vam is the backdrop for the second last ride in this cycling race. Riders start in Emmen and go via Northern Sleen and Aalden to the Col du Vam, which must be climbed several times. Drenthe has paid 200,000 euros to get a stage of this course.
“This is a wonderful way to put Drenthe on the map as a cycling province with a live broadcast on national television. The goal is to have this event take place again in Drenthe in 2026 and 2027,” the province writes.
The Tour of Holland is the successor of the Tour of the Netherlands, which was last held 21 years ago. On October 14 it will start with a prologue in The Hague. Then five stages will follow. It has the ambition to grow it into a UCI World Tour match. That is the highest level worldwide. Olav Kooij, Arnaud de Lie, Cees Bol, Tim Merlier and Dutch champion Danny van Poppel are expected at the start.
Next year the province will come once with 500,000 euros for the realization of large sporting events. The Tour of Holland is an example of this. For this year, the province had increased the subsidy for sporting events from 300,000 to 450,000 euros. “But this amount was already reached at the beginning of April. Before 2026 we propose to raise it again, to make more events possible.”
The province also checks whether the VAM-Berg can be used more for recreation. “The VAM-Berg, the highest point in Drenthe, has grown into a popular location for sporty cyclists and events. The height differences offer opportunities for expanding the recreational offer. In consultation with Attero, the environment and the municipality of Midden-Drenthe, these options are further explored.”