49th Amstel Gold Race, 20 April 2014 (WT) 251km

[hfer07]

well- i must recognize i was mistaken about Gilbert - he's back

 

[The Blues]

He barely sprinted, so even though he usually screws it up, I believe he didn't have the legs for more today. Valverde, that is.

 

[Marco Pantani]

Ay Gilbert hardly breathing.

Only Murito and Andy might prevent another treble.

 

[trevim]

I think Valverde lacks confidence these last couple of years. Always looking around instead of minding his own business.

 

[podunavac]

Perfect execution by BMC. That's how the numbers should be used.
The Voeckler group lacked a couple of ambitious riders more to make a suspense finale.
This way it was inside the usual pattern.

 

[Orbit501]

Perfectly raced by BMC and pleased for Gilbert.

Typical to see negative Gerrans and Valverde sprint for the podium

Shame Kwia didn't have more legs to make a better race of it.

 

[movingtarget]

Great win. Gerrans must be sick of podiums at Amstel. Still good ride.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Gilbert and Jelle are back.
Congrats with the win.

 

[jaylew]

Would have been interesting to see if Purito could have gone with Gilbert. Valverde, Gerrans, and Kwia just didn't have the legs.

 

[Parrulo]

Only managed to watch the last 7km's, yet i feel like i didn't miss a single thing. . .

Am i right?

 

[Tournesol]

Only managed to watch the last 7km's, yet i feel like i didn't miss a single thing. . .

Am i right?

Yes,boring race.

 

[dlwssonic]

Was it me or did gilberts attack look like he was in slow mo initially. Didn't look as good as his previous attacks on the cauberg initially but damn was I wrong. that gap was huge!!!

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Only managed to watch the last 7km's, yet i feel like i didn't miss a single thing. . .

Am i right?

A group tried with 30km to go, but the peloton was 100 strong at the time. No chance. A sprint up Cauberg was on the cards.

 

[trevim]

Only managed to watch the last 7km's, yet i feel like i didn't miss a single thing. . .

Am i right?

You missed Kwiat throwing Tony Martin off the road. Also you missed Lampre as a whole; Cunego and Ulissi nowhere to be seen.

 

[hrotha]

Nice win Gilbert, my god Valverde is infuriating!!! Just wheel sucks Kwiakowski all the way instead of doing any work. I'm glad Gerrans got 3rd so he couldn't podium!

Hahaha, how does this work? Happy that Valverde the wheelsucker lost to Gerrans, of all people?

 

[movingtarget]

Was it me or did gilberts attack look like he was in slow mo initially. Didn't look as good as his previous attacks on the cauberg initially but damn was I wrong. that gap was huge!!!

Had the big gear going but Gerrans could not do anything.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Man this race had some potential when Voeckler attacked and got a bunch of decent names with him, but in the end they didn't cooperate and it was always going to become a generic sprint up Cauberg.

Good to see Vanendert back though.

 

[dlwssonic]

Had the big gear going but Gerrans could not do anything.

Yeah i was so worried he was going to be caught on the flat, he looked tired but I guess it was just that big gear that fooled me.

 

[cocteau_ireland]

Valverde has a problem committing, like he only wants to win sneaky. So glad when he fails.

 

[Afrank]

Only managed to watch the last 7km's, yet i feel like i didn't miss a single thing. . .

Am i right?

Pretty much. Had a nice attack and attempt to break by Voeckler and others earlier. But never was the chance they couldn't be brought back.

 

[roundabout]

Valverde has a problem committing, like he only wants to win sneaky. So glad when he fails.

Best rider to have in a group chasing you.

Unless you are Rodriguez.

 

[movingtarget]

Yeah i was so worried he was going to be caught on the flat, he looked tired but I guess it was just that big gear that fooled me.

For a moment I though Vanendert was much closer but the head on shot made it look closer.

 

[trevim]

Hahaha, how does this work? Happy that Valverde the wheelsucker lost to Gerrans, of all people?

Ahah so true. Between Valverde and Gerrans I choose Voeckler everyday of the week

 

[movingtarget]

Ahah so true. Between Valverde and Gerrans I choose Voeckler everyday of the week

I have never understood it with Valverde. He is such a good sprinter that most of the time he will win the sprint anyway unless he is a up against the best sprinters. They all looked tired at the finish but Valverde is always the first one to start looking around. Gerrans is pretty much the same. Definitely the same type of rider but maybe a bit smarter which would not be hard.

 

[Klubban]

Wonder if Valverde, Gerrans and Kwia underestimated Gilbert a bit? Valverde jumped on Kwia who jumped on Samu, and then Gerrans went. None of them marked Gilbert and when he attacked they where all a bit cooked, making it impossible to follow him. Or was it just a tactical error by Valverde, Gerrans and Kwia?