Race Across Benelux
Race Across Benelux: A New 1,000km Ultra-Distance Challenge for 2026
Race Across Benelux is a brand new ultra-distance road event set to debut in May 2026. Designed as a tribute to the cycling heritage of the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, the event introduces a 1,000km Amsterdam–Arlon–Arlon route, supported by three shorter formats, making it one of the most significant new additions to next season’s endurance calendar.
Race Across Benelux: New Ultra-Distance Event in Northern Europe
For the first time, the Race Across Series has created a route fully dedicated to the Benelux region. The terrain reads like a greatest-hits compilation of northern European riding: Ardennes climbs, rolling plateaux, steep valleys, long Dutch plains and a cultural backdrop steeped in brewing tradition.
The event offers four semi-supported formats:
- 1,000km (Amsterdam – Arlon – Arlon)
- 500km (Arlon loop)
- 300km (Arlon loop)
- 200km / 200km By Night (Arlon loop)
With distances ranging from 200km to over 1,000km, Race Across Benelux is positioned to attract both seasoned ultra-racers and riders stepping up to longer formats.
The 1,000km Format: Amsterdam to Arlon
The flagship 1,048km route begins in Amsterdam, offering fast, flat kilometres before riders cross into Belgium via Rotterdam and Gouda. A highlight early in the route is the passage through Baarle-Hertog/Baarle-Nassau, the famously interwoven Dutch–Belgian border town.
From there, the terrain stiffens:
- Limburg, including the iconic Cauberg
- The Hautes Fagnes high moorlands
- The Gileppe dam
- A final push into Arlon, the event’s operational base
The elevation gain totals approximately 11,900m, with the second Arlon–Arlon loop delivering the bulk of the climbing through the Ardennes and Luxembourg.
Arlon: Race Across Benelux Base Camp and Cultural Hub
Located at the meeting point of Belgium, Luxembourg and the Ardennes, Arlon becomes the central hub for the entire event. From 27–31 May 2026, the city will host:
- Rider reception and base camp
- Start/finish lines for the 500km, 300km and 200km formats
- Briefings, logistics and recovery zones
All loops begin and end in Place Léopold, Arlon’s historic centre.
Brewing Heritage
A distinctive feature of Race Across Benelux is its cultural storytelling through brewing heritage. The 1,000km route links major names such as Amstel and Heineken with monastic and abbey breweries including Achel, Diekirch, Achouffe, Simon, Leffe, Maredsous, Chimay, Rochefort, and Rulles.
The shorter formats continue this theme, passing landmarks such as Orval, the forests surrounding the abbey, and the brewing traditions of Wiltz and Brasserie Simon. The organisers position breweries not as detours, but as cultural markers that define the region as clearly as its climbs and valleys.
Race Across Benelux Event Formats in Detail
1,000km – Amsterdam – Arlon – Arlon
A two-act challenge combining a fast cross-border traverse with a mountainous loop.
Distance: 1,048km
Elevation: ≈11,900m D+
500km – Arlon Loop
A demanding route built from the 200km and 300km loops.
Distance: 528km
Elevation: ≈8,550m D+
Terrain includes the Attert valley, Forêt d’Anlier, Haute-Sûre, Esch-sur-Sûre, Luxembourg-Ville, Gaume, Orval and the Semois valley.
300km – Arlon – Arlon
A long, committed loop through deep southern valleys and Ardennes plateaux.
Distance: 326.6km
Elevation: 4,999m D+
200km / 200km By Night
A compact but punchy trans-border circuit.
Distance: 202km
Elevation: 3,553m D+
The By Night option starts in the evening, offering a nocturnal introduction to Benelux ultra-cycling.
A New Benchmark for Benelux Ultra Cycling
Race Across Series founder Arnaud Manzanini describes the event as “a new dimension of ultra-cycling,” highlighting the cultural and geographical diversity of the route and its connection between northern and southern European cycling traditions.
The event follows the Race Across Series’ established philosophy: precision mapping, semi-autonomy, strong safety protocols and terrain-first storytelling.