53rd Amstel Gold Race - 260km

[Flamin]

Re: Re:

Excluding Paris-Roubaix from last year, the best final 25-30km I've seen in ages I think.

Yep, the perfect tonic to a terrible classics seasons. Lots of action and tension right the way to the line.

Wow! I so disagree. Yes, a lot f movement in the final 25-30km, but the last 3km...bummer for me. I would have loved a Valverde-Sagan-Alaf showdown.

Bummer why? Valgren is a top class rider. It's not like some B rider got gifted the win.

 

[SKSemtex]

Re: Re:

Cobbled classic specialists >>>>>>>>>>>>> hilly classic "specialists"

How do you figure from this race?

Top 10 had 2 cobbled riders of which 1 won, but you can argue about valgren being a cobbled specialist. Valgren was 2nd on a cauberg finish before.
If anything valgren is a very complete rider, which is perfect for this race.

AGR is more similar to the Ronde (but without cobbles) than LBL.

Paris-Roubaix is a terrible prep for AGR though (just look at Gilbert), so Sagan was once again very impressive.

This race is perfect for him. IMHO.
He just need some teammates at least to 20 km mark which should not be a problem as it is ridden very conservative till last 50 km

 

[El Pistolero]

Re: Re:

Cobbled classic specialists >>>>>>>>>>>>> hilly classic "specialists"

How do you figure from this race?

Top 10 had 2 cobbled riders of which 1 won, but you can argue about valgren being a cobbled specialist. Valgren was 2nd on a cauberg finish before.
If anything valgren is a very complete rider, which is perfect for this race.

AGR is more similar to the Ronde (but without cobbles) than LBL.

Paris-Roubaix is a terrible prep for AGR though (just look at Gilbert), so Sagan was once again very impressive.

So terrible that Sagan probably was the strongest rider today (along with Valverde who was the best on the climbs).

Greg and Gilbert are just a bit under par. Thats obvious to everybody.

Valverde was the strongest, Sagan was very close however and has a better sprint.

 

[trucido]

Re:

Competely stupid move by Sagan. You're on Kreuzigers wheel and bet all your chances on Valverde wasting his sprint for another rider.

Sure. Great idea Peter.

That was the second time he let Kreuziger go.

I think he saw two ex-teammates escape and thought that's enough reason for me not to chase.

 

[burning]

Re: Re:

Cobbled classic specialists >>>>>>>>>>>>> hilly classic "specialists"

Since when Valgren is a cobbled classic specialist? You should really be banned by your trolling in last couple weeks

He rode Omloop het Nieuwsblad (which he won), Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, E3 Harelbeke, Gent-Wevelgem, Dwars door Vlaanderen and the Ronde van Vlaanderen (where he finished fourth).

How isn't he a cobbled classic specialist?

For the first time if im not mistaken, that certainly makes him a cobble specialist

Guy just started sniffing to the cobbles last year - by no means a specialist. He likes the Ardennes better, altho he he better opportunities in the cobbles.

Valgren is just a classics rider. Not a hilly one, nor cobbled...

Yeah, dude rode Liege-Amstel-Fleche 4-5 times in his career but he's a cobbled guy just because of El Pickle wanted to troll today.

Also, Lance was a cobbled specialist as he rode Ronde and Gent-Wewelgem at some point in his career.

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

Cobbled classic specialists >>>>>>>>>>>>> hilly classic "specialists"

How do you figure from this race?

Top 10 had 2 cobbled riders of which 1 won, but you can argue about valgren being a cobbled specialist. Valgren was 2nd on a cauberg finish before.
If anything valgren is a very complete rider, which is perfect for this race.

AGR is more similar to the Ronde (but without cobbles) than LBL.

Paris-Roubaix is a terrible prep for AGR though (just look at Gilbert), so Sagan was once again very impressive.

So terrible that Sagan probably was the strongest rider today (along with Valverde who was the best on the climbs).

Greg and Gilbert are just a bit under par. Thats obvious to everybody.

Sagan was very conservative with his energy, I don't think he was one of the best 3 best riders on the hills.

 

[DFA123]

Re:

Competely stupid move by Sagan. You're on Kreuzigers wheel and bet all your chances on Valverde wasting his sprint for another rider.

Sure. Great idea Peter.

I think that was fair enough. It wasn't just Valverde, there was Alaphilippe and Wellens as well. It's fair enough to think that at least one of those will try to close the move down - they're two of the most aggressive riders in the peloton.

Sagan was probably on his limit and knew that he needed some recovery before a sprint. Better to gamble and have a chance to win, than burn your final match and definitely lose.

 

[krakenKE]

Re: Re:

Cobbled classic specialists >>>>>>>>>>>>> hilly classic "specialists"

How do you figure from this race?

Top 10 had 2 cobbled riders of which 1 won, but you can argue about valgren being a cobbled specialist. Valgren was 2nd on a cauberg finish before.
If anything valgren is a very complete rider, which is perfect for this race.

AGR is more similar to the Ronde (but without cobbles) than LBL.

Paris-Roubaix is a terrible prep for AGR though (just look at Gilbert), so Sagan was once again very impressive.

This race is perfect for him. IMHO.
He just need some teammates at least to 20 km mark which should not be a problem as it is ridden very conservative till last 50 km

I expected much more from Konrad, McCarthy and Muhlberger. Once again Marcus was his last man.

 

[jaylew]

No real surprise that the only team with 2 riders in the front won. Wellens must have been completely spent to stay with Bala/Ala/Sagan rather than try anything.

 

[bassano]

Re: Re:

valverde and alaphilippe such a loosers, nice win for valdgren
valverde simply do not know race, he can only suck wheels and wait for last km

Did you watch the race? He was the only one working along with Sagan.

he did few changes when pace was reagullar, but he did not chase anyone attack, just waited for others like he always does, that is not so much good for me

The climbs are too easy here for Valverde. He made a few selections, but can't drop everyone. And he's got a 10-15kg weight disadvantage on the flatter sections - of course he can't go solo from miles out.

of course but he tried only one serious attack, and was not so great, he can not wait that everyone pull him to finish line and let him sprint, he must react if he want to compete for win, useless to be for him there in other case
this year course was not suit for him so much

 

[Bot. Sky_Bot]

I hope will have such great results on Wednesday and next Sunday!

 

[Bye Bye Bicycle]

Re: Re:

Wow! I so disagree. Yes, a lot f movement in the final 25-30km, but the last 3km...bummer for me. I would have loved a Valverde-Sagan-Alaf showdown.

I just don't understand why some people prefer to always see the same riders again and again and again. There's not exactly a lack of races dominated by Valverde or Sagan. I love to see new faces and surprise winners. Not that Valgren is a huge surprise, though...

 

[Arredondo]

WOW! Thanks Leo van Vliet for thinking outside the box, and giving us a great AGR where a lot of things can happen in the final!

Valgren is an incredible bike rider. He's got many assets: he's strong, fast, clever and quite explosive. But more importantly, he's one of the few riders who can pull of a solo on the flat.

For the upcoming races, it's quite clear Valverde is the favourite. He was the strongest rider today, which is quite depressing for the opposition. But i have to say Alaphilippe was also really strong today. Especially on the Bemelerberg, he was strong enough to close a gap on Valverde who went all out there.

So Valverde vs Alaphilippe for the upcoming races!

 

[Frankschleck]

Pretty cool that Kreziguer and Valgren worked together and handshake after the finish. Old teammates help each other to get the best outcome for both.

 

[El Pistolero]

Re: Re:

Yeah, dude rode Liege-Amstel-Fleche 4-5 times in his career but he's a cobbled guy just because of El Pickle wanted to troll today.

Also, Lance was a cobbled specialist as he rode Ronde and Gent-Wewelgem at some point in his career.

He just said he wants to ride Roubaix in the future.

 

[Cance > TheRest]

Thrilling finale. Best last 30 km's of an "Ardennes classics" in many many years

I'm a little bit disappointed in the passive racing of Wellens and Alaphilippe though. It's not like any of them could have won a sprint against Sagan or Valverde, and yet they only tried one or two half-hearted attacks. I can only infer that they lacked legs.

In fact, Fuglsang and Kreuziger were the most animating rider of the day, so I'm happy at least one of the got on the podium

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

valverde and alaphilippe such a loosers, nice win for valdgren
valverde simply do not know race, he can only suck wheels and wait for last km

Did you watch the race? He was the only one working along with Sagan.

he did few changes when pace was reagullar, but he did not chase anyone attack, just waited for others like he always does, that is not so much good for me

The climbs are too easy here for Valverde. He made a few selections, but can't drop everyone. And he's got a 10-15kg weight disadvantage on the flatter sections - of course he can't go solo from miles out.

of course but he tried only one serious attack, and was not so great, he can not wait that everyone pull him to finish line and let him sprint, he must react if he want to compete for win, useless to be for him there in other case
this year course was not suit for him so much

That's not true. He put in attacks and 3 of the last 4 climbs, and created a decisive selection each time. Maybe he could have opened up a 5 second gap if he went absolutely flat out, but then what? Just waste energy before inevitably getting reeled back in?

He was competing for the win, but with 2km his only chance of a win was a sprint. And if he would have spend half of that last 2km chasing down attacks, he would have had zero chance of winning the sprint. Same for Sagan.

What they both really missed in the finale was a team-mate.

 

[El Pistolero]

Re:

Thrilling finale. Best last 30 km's of an "Ardennes classics" in many many years

I'm a little bit disappointed in the passive racing of Wellens and Alaphilippe though. It's not like any of them could have won a sprint against Sagan or Valverde, and yet they only tried one or two half-hearted attacks. I can only infer that they lacked legs.

In fact, Fuglsang and Kreuziger were the most animating rider of the day, so I'm happy at least one of the got on the podium

Wellens was dropped on one of the hills and later came back, he won't win any classics this year.

 

[Eyeballs Out]

Good finale with well deserved podium

 

[d-s3]

Well, Sagan could not really win this.
Others would not bring him to the finish and he probably did not have legs to attack.
So it was a lottery who will get away (and others will look at Sagan as always and lose).
Valgren & Kreuzi were a good choice. They rode actively, attacked few times, they deserved it.

 

[perico]

Nice win for Astana. Hopefully will help with their sponsor issues.

 

[Son of Amsterhammer]

They thought Sagan would chase again...mistake!

 

[jaylew]

Re: Re:

Good racing today. What a great spring for Valgren.

Sagan and Valverde marked each other out.

No, Sagan was done. He cannot close down 50 percent of attacks alone. I wasexpecting much better performance from his team.

I think you may be right. He looked really tired at that point and might have been vulnerable if Alaphillipe and Valverde had bridged but I don't think they realized that.

 

[movingtarget]

Re:

Good finale with well deserved podium

Hard to argue with that. A lot of marking and tactics going on towards the finish. Not surprised that the race was decided in that way. Good to see Kreuziger doing well in a race he likes.

 

[yaco]

Kreuziger is in much better shape in 2018 - Has been good in every race, except for the one bad day at PN in which S.Yates must still be rueing.