The Amstel Gold Race Women opens the Ardennes week on the rolling hills of Dutch Limburg. Revived in its current form in 2017, it climbs a relentless series of short hellingen, with the Cauberg the most famous of them. The constant up-and-down rewards punchy riders and clever positioning rather than pure climbing power. Marianne Vos is the only two-time winner so far. In 2026 Paula Blasi attacked alone on the Cauberg to take a surprise win over Demi Vollering. It is the first big test of the hilly Ardennes block.