47th Amstel Gold Race (The maze) - Sunday April 15, 2012

[Panda Claws]

It is weird how no-one seemed to have that big explosion this year.

It was more like the bunch sprint in 2009.

No Gilbert 2010 & 2011 explosion nor a Rodriguez 2011 explosion.

 

[markene2]

Matti's reason to abandon was that he simply wasn't good today and was a huge let down.

At least he is being honest cutting out the illness/preparation for other races excuses..

Can i make a "Baaaaw" post for the money you lost?

 

[c&cfan]

It is weird how no-one seemed to have that big explosion this year.

It was more like the bunch sprint in 2009.

No Gilbert 2010 & 2011 explosion nor a Rodriguez 2011 explosion.

although this was the true mother of all explosions:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDPVFX2vvKY

he will be back

 

[DominicDecoco]

Can i make a "Baaaaw" post for the money you lost?

I can't remember the last time I was so far off winning

 

[hrotha]

Why?

Mostly fear of being wrong, I'd say.

 

[Panda Claws]

although this was the true mother of all explosions:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDPVFX2vvKY

he will be back

That's pretty impressive indeed. But while Valverde is a class ride, I will not deny that he won't beat Gilbert on a finish like the Cauberg. If both are in top form Valverde MIGHT win a sprint vs Gilbert on flat/false flat (though I doubt that) but something like the Cauberg? Not a chance.

 

[Echoes]

Lol at D-T stating last year that Amstel was hard because continuously up & down.

I tuned in with 67km to go. It was panflat !!

Between 67km to finish and 30k you barely have 3 Flanders-like climbs but without cobbles of course.

If this race finishes with a sprint, it is because it's way too soft, period. Only the final part is hard and every observer with more than two brain cells would understand that the part between 2/3rd and 3/4th of the route should be sharpened to make it hard and exciting. The former course to Maastricht with the Côte d'Hallembaye was definitely more interesting.


Amstel really has no charm for me. Already the name of the race being an extrasport sponsor (and, what's more, a bad beer), doesn't make it greater.

Amstel = Dustbin.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Well, at least there weren't any road furniture smashes this year.
That and a very unlikely podium being the only real race surprises.
Gilbert? Shows the difference between his peak form and decent form
is much like everyone else.

The Rabobus was awesome today. Full to over flowing as soon as the pace went up.
If you are going to fail big..............do it on home soil.

 

[c&cfan]

so it becomes like we (smart people) said as a fact.

if valverde is there, gilbert loses. simple. lol

(pistrollero mode off)

 

[hrotha]

Question! Was Van den Broeck hurt in his crash, or was he just using this as training for LBL?

 

[theyoungest]

Lol at D-T stating last year that Amstel was hard because continuously up & down.

Yes, I'm sure the riders lol-ed at Dekker_T as well. They must have thought it was a walk in the park

It's a hard race, but in this kind of weather it's not a race in which you can make a lot of difference. Except in the final sprint, where there were only 3 contenders, really.

 

[El Pistolero]

so it becomes like we (smart people) said as a fact.

if valverde is there, gilbert loses. simple. lol

(pistrollero mode off)

And this guy is not banned already because?

 

[El Pistolero]

although this was the true mother of all explosions:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDPVFX2vvKY

he will be back

First stage of the Tour last year was much more impressive. You know, distancing the peloton with 6 seconds.

 

[El Pistolero]

Yes, I'm sure the riders lol-ed at Dekker_T as well. They must have thought it was a walk in the park

It's a hard race, but in this kind of weather it's not a race in which you can make a lot of difference. Except in the final sprint, where there were only 3 contenders, really.

Echoes is just frustrated with some one day races for some reason, just ignore him. If someone had reacted on Freire's attack(let's say Pozzato and Boonen if they were racing) they would have stayed away till the end. Does that sound familiar to you? Yup, that's exactly how Flanders ended!

Every year I'm stupified how only one rider has the brains to attack after the Keutenberg. This year Freire, last year Andy, the year before Kolobnev, etc

If more people tried to get away there a bunch sprint would easily have been avoided. But once again, passive racing.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

did anyone see the colombian flag of Ryo?
Our whole group was there

Weird race. Thomas Dekker was good. So i'm happy. Nice win by Gasparotto

 

[Gloin22]

did anyone see the colombian flag of Ryo?
Our whole group was there

Weird race. Thomas Dekker was good. So i'm happy. Nice win by Gasparotto

How did Ryo react that Nordhaug was much better than Henao unitl the unlucky crash ?

 

[Echoes]

Yes, I'm sure the riders lol-ed at Dekker_T as well. They must have thought it was a walk in the park

He implied Liège-Bastogne was easier, all right.
I remember his post very well. No rider would say that.

 

[El Pistolero]

He implied Liège-Bastogne was easier, all right.
I remember his post very well. No rider would say that.

Doesn't mean this race is easy or a joke.

 

[The Hitch]

Question! Was Van den Broeck hurt in his crash, or was he just using this as training for LBL?

Knowing VDB he is probably using it as training for the Tour.

 

[El Pistolero]

AGR: perfect training for the Tour

 

[The Hitch]

And this guy is not banned already because?

Banned for what?

 

[hrotha]

Knowing VDB he is probably using it as training for the Tour.

I love him and think I can change him, k?

AGR: perfect training for the Tour

WHOOOOSH

 

[spalco]

Banned for what?

Not joining in in the Gilbert worship I suppose. In Pisteloroland that's a capital offense.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Banned for what?

For being a better El P than El P?

Yes, VDB hurt or being a bit of a wuss?

 

[The Hitch]

AGR: perfect training for the Tour

At this stage any racing is good training for July.