Sporza Cycling managers take note: The new (and last?) Drenthe Tour is no longer intended for runners

After Strade Bianche, the men will have to wait a little longer for the next one-day race at WorldTour level, but for the women, a new showdown is already on the program with Ronde van Drenthe on Sunday. Lorena Wiebes' chance of winning a fourth consecutive time was significantly reduced due to the track change.

Anyone who looks at the Tour of Drenthe honors list will realize that the women's WorldTour has been largely a festival of runners in recent years.

Lorena Wiebes has officially won the past three editions and will now be at the start again. With Jolien D'hoore we also see the Belgian flag in the list of achievements.

But the runners' dominance may be about to end. Out of necessity.

Due to more stringent safety and environmental requirements, it is becoming increasingly difficult to organize bicycle races in the Netherlands. The Tour of Drenthe is also in danger.

For the first time since 1960, there is no men's version. The women's competition has also been completely revamped. “Survival tour,” organizer Femi van Essum calls it on RTV Drenthe. Maybe also a farewell tour?

Modifications to the race at least ensure that the race can be held without police direction, although police officers have been called in as volunteers.

The good news for cycling enthusiasts: the Tour of Drenthe remains faithful to the VAM mountain – known for hosting the last European Cycling Championships. In fact, the “garbage dump” (VAM stands for Vuil Afvoer Maatschappij) will play a more important role.

Where in the past riders were given enough time after the VAM to catch their breath and prepare for the sprint, they now set the finish line at the top of the Calf Bite.

Compared to the past, “Dak van Drenthe” has now also been added to the climb, an additional climbing pass with sections of up to 12%. The VAM must be tamed 5 times in total, once every 29 kilometres.

Not so much for the runners, although Lorena Whipps is athletic (and ambitious) enough to defend her title. She won silver at the European Championships, so she can do it.

She doesn't have to fear her teammate Lotte Kopecky, because she's moving on to Drenthe and will join up again a few days later in Nokyri. Two Dutch streamers are also missing: Marianne Vos and Demi Vollering.

Who should we look out for on Sunday? Bock Pieterse, who knows the VAM mountain through cross and mountain bikes, Christina Schweinberger, Elsa Balsamo and riding powerhouse Thalita de Jong. Or will Mischa Bredewald find her super legs from the last European Championships on the VAM mountain?