The Volta Limburg Classic, formerly known as Hel van het Mergelland until 2011, is a prestigious one-day cycling race held annually in the picturesque regions of Dutch South Limburg and the Belgian Voerstreek. This race is renowned for its challenging profile, featuring tough climbs, swift descents, and often unpredictable weather conditions, which include rain and hail, making it one of the most demanding classics in Dutch cycling. It's sometimes referred to as the little brother of the Amstel Gold Race.
The event was first organized in 1973, primarily as part of the Amateur Top Competition, maintaining this status until 1992. It gained prominence over the years and was upgraded to a 1.1 event on the UCI Europe Tour in 2005. The race traditionally starts and ends on the cobblestones of Diepstraat in Eijsden. Initially, the route took riders across Belgian territories, including the Voerstreek, before returning to the hilly landscapes of Limburg, with notable climbs such as the Gulperberg and the Eyserbosweg. However, since 2010, modifications to the course have led to a loop that is traversed multiple times by the cyclists, featuring climbs like Camerig and Gulperberg,
2023: Kaden Groves (Australia)
2022: Arnaud De Lie (Belgium)
2021: Race not held
2020: Race not held
2019: Patrick Müller (Switzerland)
2018: Jan Tratnik (Slovenia)
2017: Marco Canola (Italy)
2016: Floris Gerts (Netherlands)
2015: Stefan Küng (Switzerland)