In 2018, Limburg hosted the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships, and the city of Valkenburg - at the heart of the region - has organised five UCI Road World Championships, most recently in 2012.
Limburg is home to major cycling events, including the Amstel Gold Race and Amstel Gold Race Ladies. Over 50 cycling competitions take place in the province each year, and 100 cyclo-sportives are organised with 75,000 participants of all ages taking part.
Limburg Cycling is the central organisation for cycling in Limburg. Their long-term strategy to increase the use of bikes aims to benefit health and the economy through cycling, while connecting various local activities and races into region-wide programmes.
Limburg is also attractive for competitive athletes thanks to its state-of-the-art training and testing facilities, experienced coaches and unique cross-border locations. The region is home to a number of professional cycling teams such as Team Sunweb with their recently-opened Keep Challenging Center. Morevoer, the Tom Dumoulin Bike Park opened in 2017 in the town of Sittard with a unique and safe cycling track, 3.2km in length.
In April 2019, the Shimano Experience Center opened in Valkenburg, enabling people to get in touch with all kinds of cycling, be it road biking, mountain biking or exploring the city by e-bike.
Cycling “runs through their veins”, they say in Limburg, and this is evident - particularly in Valkenburg - judging from the level of interest in cycling in the town and the provision of high quality facilities for everyday cycling. The town benefits markedly from all types of cycle tourist, including those making a ‘pilgrimage’ to the Cauberg, the spiritual home of cycling in the Netherlands.
Limburg’s long-term strategy through until 2025 is to use cycling to make social and economic impact thanks to partnerships, events, talent development and recreational programmes.
Links