Amstel Gold Race 2023, one day classic, April 16 (men's)

[Ilmaestro99]

How come Vinge isn't racing this with his super climbing watts. Surely he would have a chance. Or Remco.

Remco is an ultramythical climber now, he's the Belgian Contador, he can only race so often so that he maintains his mystique and speculations about his form.

 

[Tonton]

The only way for Pogacar not to win is if he lacks discipline. Not having MVP or Wout to worry about, no Remco, or Roglic for that matter, Tadej can't fall in the trap and waste too much energy too early or be complacent.

With a two-time and defending winner, the AdH and Strade winner, Ineos has a say. That should keep Pogacar focused so he won't make mistakes.

 

[Amazinmets87]

Valverde should be first, unless podiums count for next to nothing...

 

[Peyroteo94]

Valverde should be first, unless podiums count for next to nothing...

Why? Couldn't even win an Amstel... who cares about podiums? Amstel is really missing in his palmares, just to complete the triple crown in Ardennes (please don't dare to say triple crown is Giro/Tour/Worlds)

 

[Gratemans]

It kinda makes me sad that whatever acts of greatness will unfold this sunday, it will never top the epic miracle that was the finale of 2019.

 

[Gigs_98]

One of the best races on the calendar ever since the glorious route change of 2017. Just amazing how well that decision turned out.

 

[Gratemans]

One of the best races on the calendar ever since the glorious route change of 2017. Just amazing how well that decision turned out.

Some say that if you open a window and listen closely, you can still hear echoes of the uproar from the masses that were adamant the AGR would be doomed if it didn't finish right after the Cauberg.

 

[tobydawq]

Some say that if you open a window and listen closely, you can still hear echoes of the uproar from the masses that were adamant the AGR would be doomed if it didn't finish right after the Cauberg.

The masses were stupid.

 

[SafeBet]

The masses were stupid.

And they were not reading the CN forum, where the truth on route design is revealed.

 

[Bolder]

It kinda makes me sad that whatever acts of greatness will unfold this sunday, it will never top the epic miracle that was the finale of 2019.

I think Alaf and Fuglsang were scarred for life.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I think Alaf and Fuglsang were scarred for life.

Alaf got a complex there anyway, few days before Van der Poel denied him what normall would have been a sure win in Brabantse Pijl, and suddenly there is somebody who outsprints him there.

 

[Bonimenier]

Hirschi winning a game of rock paper scissors against Pogacar in the last km to take this one home.

 

[Ikbengodniet]

Someone knows where Matthews at? He is not riding Ardennes at all?

 

[search]

Someone knows where Matthews at? He is not riding Ardennes at all?

"The Australian rider has seen his spring campaign wrecked by a Covid-19 infection suffered right before Milano-Sanremo. He has managed to return to racing in the meantime but was forced to miss several cobbled classics and abandoned the Tour of Flanders. After a promising start to the season he now finds himself short of the form needed to perform in the Ardennes, and will focus on the Tour de France later in the year.", is what it said here, but no idea what's the source for it.

According to Stybar, Matthews also crashed in the Ronde, so that may play a part as well.

 

[Blanco]

I don't think it's going to be walk in the park for Pogacar, Amstel is complicated race to win. It's long and hard, but not hard enough to go solo from long imo. Peloton is not shattered like in Flanders races, and riders often come back to the front group, especially if the cooperation in the front group is not the best.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

I don't think it's going to be walk in the park for Pogacar, Amstel is complicated race to win. It's long and hard, but not hard enough to go solo from long imo. Peloton is not shattered like in Flanders races, and riders often come back to the front group, especially if the cooperation in the front group is not the best.

Winning Strade Bianche by going solo on Monte Sante Marie was unthinkable until Pogacar did just that last year and did it will ease, the normal rules just don't apply to him. Also, if a big group comes together behind him, that means the Cosnefroys and Benoots will have spent a lot of time looking at each other rather than chasing after Eyserbosweg, which likely means a minute to close down after Keutenberg with plenty of UAE riders to disrupt things to boot.

 

[topcat]

I’m sick of Pog dominating races, I’ll be sick of Vingo if he wins the tour this year, I’m sick of Roglic’s fans and I’ll be sick of Remco if he becomes the dominant rider as expected.

 

[Peyroteo94]

It all depends on Pogacar's shape. If he is close to the shape he showed in Flanders, we can already give the win to him. No way, 3rd tier riders will have a chance against him. Seriously, the only outcome possible to see Pogacar lose is if everyone rides against him. They need to antecipate, attack with 80 km to go and try to create an alliance against him. If the peloton is only 2 minute behind when they reach the 60 km (to the finish) mark, then it is game over.

 

[Peyroteo94]

I’m sick of Pog dominating races, I’ll be sick of Vingo if he wins the tour this year, I’m sick of Roglic’s fans and I’ll be sick of Remco if he becomes the dominant rider as expected.

Vingegaard, Remco and Pogacar will ride similar races in the future. How can Pogacar dominate races if other 2 will dominate too? What a mess...

 

[topcat]

Vingegaard, Remco and Pogacar will ride similar races in the future. How can Pogacar dominate races if other 2 will dominate too? What a mess...

Pog can dominate hilly classics, Vingo can dominate the tour and then in a couple of years Remco can take over from the two of them. Easy peasy.

 

[Lequack]

I’m sick of Pog dominating races, I’ll be sick of Vingo if he wins the tour this year, I’m sick of Roglic’s fans and I’ll be sick of Remco if he becomes the dominant rider as expected.

An they don't even all want to ride the same races, so they could compete with each other much. I did find the duel of Roglic vs Remco this year quite exciting, very close battle.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Lutsenko will win this bike race.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Tadej goes from the gun.
No Vinny, of course. He's in the Jumbo bacta tank from where he will emerge as Darth Vingo and attempt to repeat last year's muppet show.

 

[Gratemans]

Lutsenko will win this bike race.

Wrong thread it seems

 

[SafeBet]

Who is the most likely to follow Pog if he decides to go early? Benoot? Pidcock?