53rd Amstel Gold Race - 260km

[Asero831]

Just as last year, we expect this to be exciting race with so many possible outcomes.
Which of the 35 Hills will be pivotal to the outcome of the race.


Race Profile

35 Hills

Favorites

Past Winners

 

[Red Rick]

Welcome to the Netherlands, where a 22 meter altititude difference is called a 'mountain'

 

[SKSemtex]

6,5 on Sagan is finally a good deal.
I am going to try my luck before it come to usual 3.5 after today win. :lol:

 

[42x16ss]

After Pais Vasco Matthews is at good odds as well.

 

[Velolover2]

It's basically the Tour of Flanders without the cobbles. Let's hope they are honoring the race like last year.

Even riders like Naesen, Terpstra and Vanmacke can be candidates if they are riding it from far out.

 

[Velolover2]

I'm not sure about Alaphilippe's chances if it turn into an endurance race. Then Gilbert is a better card to play out.

What Alaphilippe seems to lack is an engine. He is great at being aggressive in last 10k of a hilly stage, punching his way up a steep wall and even putting out a great performance in a short time trial but as proven in Paris-Nice and Pais Vasco this year.. the engine is just not there.

 

[Alexandre B.]

Tiesj Benoot will win this bike race.

 

[Gigs_98]

Is this the same finish as last year. I thought the finish was further away from the bemeleberg but I might be wrong

 

[Bardamu]

Is this the same finish as last year. I thought the finish was further away from the bemeleberg but I might be wrong

The last kms are on more narrow roads this time.

 

[Red Rick]

Honestly like Sagan for this one.

 

[Bardamu]

Even though the racing has not always been great at Amstel, the line-up is always amazing. Can't think of many races with better riders at the start. Classics specialists, GC riders and sprinters all think they have a chance of winning.

 

[42x16ss]

Re:

Honestly like Sagan for this one.

The question is, how fresh will he be?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

After Pais Vasco Matthews is at good odds as well.

McCarthy?

 

[SKSemtex]

Re: Re:

Honestly like Sagan for this one.

The question is, how fresh will he be?

He will be in his peak form I assume.

 

[Velolover2]

Both Sagan and GVA looks like they are peaking later than last year.

Maybe they will ride Liege as well.

 

[WheelofGear]

I wonder what Sagan's tactics are for this race. He is in a luxury position. Going with the break as the most marked man or waiting for the sprint? I can't see any of the riders on the list beating him in a bunch sprint.

 

[Blanco]

It could be one for the ages. 5 of the very best one-day racers in the current peloton are targeting this race: Gilbert, Valverde, Sagan, Kwiatkowski and Van Avermaet. I just hopes this will explode earlier, like last year, to avoid sprinters and their teams.

 

[Netserk]

He should go on either Eyserbosweg or Keutenberg/the plateau.

 

[DFA123]

Re:

I wonder what Sagan's tactics are for this race. He is in a luxury position. Going with the break as the most marked man or waiting for the sprint? I can't see any of the riders on the list beating him in a bunch sprint.

You think bunch sprint is even a possibility on the new course? If the way they rode last years course is anything to go by, and now with 7 man teams, I think a bunch sprint is very, very unlikely.

 

[Bardamu]

Re:

Both Sagan and GVA looks like they are peaking later than last year.

Maybe they will ride Liege as well.

When other riders don't have mechanicals or crash out Greg never seems to be able to win. I think this is his peak form but other riders just are a bit better. I see him getting a top 10 in Amstel but I don't think he will win.

Has been a while since Sagan rode Amstel but under normal circumstances he is always one of the favourites.

 

[El Pistolero]

Re: Re:

Both Sagan and GVA looks like they are peaking later than last year.

Maybe they will ride Liege as well.

When other riders don't have mechanicals or crash out Greg never seems to be able to win. I think this is his peak form but other riders just are a bit better. I see him getting a top 10 in Amstel but I don't think he will win.

Has been a while since Sagan rode Amstel but under normal circumstances he is always one of the favourites.

Dont't troll. I can just as easily claim Sagan only won the Ronde in 2016 because Greg crashed. Greg was simply a lot stronger last year than this year. It happens.

 

[Bardamu]

I think he is at the same level as last year but he was fortunate in most races last year in the spring races. In none of those races did he show his class like Terpstra did this year or even Sagan today.

 

[trucido]

Re:

I think he is at the same level as last year but he was fortunate in most races last year in the spring races. In none of those races did he show his class like Terpstra did this year or even Sagan today.

His sprint to claim an epic 4th place today was pure class.

 

[El Pistolero]

Re:

I think he is at the same level as last year but he was fortunate in most races last year in the spring races. In none of those races did he show his class like Terpstra did this year or even Sagan today.

Sagan was very fortunate today that everyone let him go. GVA was far stronger last year. He couldn't drop anyone on the flemish hills this year for example. Last year he could ride away from just about anyone.

 

[Netserk]

Sagan was far stronger than Greg last year, and would have won both Ronde and Roubaix if not for bad luck. All part of the game.