Ronde van Drenthe
Ronde van Drenthe was an elite [List of List of men's road bicycle races|men's road bicycle races|men's] and [List of List of women's road bicycle races|women's road bicycle races|women's] professional road bicycle racing event held annually in the Drenthe, Netherlands and sanctioned by the Royal Dutch Cycling Union. The women's event was part of the UCI Women's World Tour, and the men's event was part of the UCI Europe Tour.
In 2024, organisers announced that the race had been cancelled, owing to increasing costs, regulations and lack of support from the police.
History
Men's event
The race was first held in 1960 as an amateur event. Since 2005, the men's event has been part of the UCI Europe Tour. It became a 1.HC race in 2017. Between 2010 and 2015, Dwars door Drenthe was held on the same weekend as the Ronde van Drenthe. In 2011, Ronde van Drenthe and Dwars door Drenthe were held as a combined stage race, with each day retaining its own branding. The events reverted to being separate events in 2012.In November 2023, organisers announced that the men's race would not be held from 2024 onwards. The women's event would continue. Organisers stated the cancellation was due to increasing costs, regulations and lack of support from the police.
Women's event
A women's event was first held in 1998 as Novilon Eurocup, a one-day race. Between 2003 and 2006, this was held as a three-day event. In 2007, these three stages were replaced by three one-day races - the Novilon Eurocup, Drenthe 8 of Dwingeloo and Ronde van Drenthe. In 2015, the Novilon Eurocup was held for the last time, and the Drenthe 8 became Drentse 8 van Westerveld.The first edition of Ronde van Drenthe in 2007 was part of the UCI Women's Road World Cup, and the race became part of the UCI Women's World Tour in 2016. Dutch rider Lorena Wiebes won the event four times in a row from 2021 to 2024. In 2024, organisers announced that the women's race would not be held from 2025 onwards, thereby cancelling the event. Organisers stated the cancellation was due to increasing costs, regulations and lack of support from the police.