In the autumn, the opening prologue of the first edition of the Tour of Holland will take place in The Hague. During this new major cycling tour of the Netherlands, national and international top cyclists will come to the Zuiderpark on 14 October for the team presentation and a unique evening stage. The ‘Dutch Depart’ will also take place in The Hague in 2026 and 2027. This means that after the Tour de France Femmes, an international cycling tour will come to The Hague again.
Sports alderman Hilbert Bredemeijer promises a sporty party for cycling fans and the entire city: “It’s great that after the Tour de France Femmes, another major and international cycling tour is coming to The Hague. All cycling enthusiasts can mark 14 October in their agenda and are more than welcome in The Hague’s Zuiderpark. The entire city will be enjoying it and with fun sports and exercise activities we will inspire residents to get on their bikes themselves. During the opening prologue, The Hague will be the centre of cycling in the Netherlands.”
The Tour of Holland will take place from 14 to 19 October. On 14 October, the race will start with an evening prologue in and around the atmospheric Zuiderpark. This is a route of approximately 4 kilometres, with a cyclist starting every minute. Thanks to the circuit, spectators can enjoy the entire evening in the Zuiderpark. Team Visma | Lease a Bike and Team Picnic PostNL will be participating, among others. The race will also start in The Hague in 2025 and 2026. The aim is for women’s teams to participate from 2026 onwards. Unfortunately, there was no room for this on the international calendar this year.
Encouraging residents to get on their bikes
The municipality believes it is important that the cycling race inspires residents to get on their bikes themselves. That is why fun sports and exercise activities are organised before, during and after the Tour of Holland, such as a Cycling Festival. Special attention is paid to The Hague Southwest. The municipality expects 20,000 visitors to the Tour of Holland and many more people will follow the cycling race via the internet and TV. The Tour de France Femmes showed how a cycling race brings the city. The Tour of Holland builds on this.
Images & text: Gemeente Den Haag
Translation: The Hague Online