A new episode which starts from the bottom of Valkenburg in a huge complex dedicated to cycling, the Shimano Center Experience, one of the wings of which has been renamed Amstel Gold Race Experience. This is where we drink a coffee and soak up the history of this race. There you will find photos, videos, jerseys and old bikes in an exceptional state of restoration. Among these, the Flandria of Freddy Maertens released into the Cauberg by Eddy Merckx racing towards his second victory in 1975.
Two years earlier, the young organizers of Amstel absolutely want to have the super star Eddy Merckx at the start of their event. But Eddy is very expensive. So, they offer him a deal: we pay you if you win!
Merckx will win after 6h38.16 of racing with more than 3 minutes ahead of Franz Verbeek et Herman Van Springeland more than 4 minutes on Hennie Kuyper et Joop Zoetemelk.
Zoetemelk will also make history by becoming the oldest winner of the Dutch Classic at the age of 40. This will be his last victory, the 197th, during his 18th professional season. The youngest winner is also Dutch, it is Gerrie Knetemann in 1974. He was 23 years old and already wearing his legendary glasses!
