The entry ballot has opened for the Amstel Gold Race sportive 2019. Taking place on 21st April 2019, the Amstel Gold Race is one of the last events in the Spring Classics season but its "Tourversion" sportive is among the first to open entries this year.
Autumn is a season of anticipation for sportive cyclists, and while we're all looking forward to details of next year's Etape du Tour this week it's the Spring Classics that come first.
Starting with the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (2nd March 2019) and climaxing with Liege-Bastogne-Liege (28th April 2019), the Spring Classics herald the traditional start of the cycling season in a riot of Belgian beer, bergs and of course the legendary cobbled pavé over two months of glorious, action-packed racing.
Most of these bike races have sportives attached, allowing amateur cyclists to ride the same roads the day before the world's elite professionals - and enjoy a long weekend in some historic European cities and regions at the same time.
Entries for most of 2019's Classics sportives have yet to open, but there is one notable exception: the Amstel Gold Race.
The Amstel Gold Race sportive takes place on Saturday 20 April 2019, the day before the men's and women's pro races. Starting in the picturesque town of Valkenburg - near Maastricht in the Netherlands' deep south - a choice of six routes are on offer. They range in length from 60km to a whopping 240km - a tall order at this early stage in the season, with around 3700m of climbing.
There are 15,000 places available on the sportive, so it's a big one. Entry is via a ballot which remains open throughout October. Places will be allocated randomly at the end of the month, with the entry fee of €48 only payable if you're successful in getting a place.
To enter the ballot, visit the event website and sign up at www.amstel.nl/amstelgoldrace.
If you're reading this after October when the ballot has closed, corporate entries may still be available - see the event website for details.
There are also usually package deals on offer (usually including entry and accommodation) with cycling tour operators such as Sportive Breaks.
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