Amstel Gold Race 2025, one day classic, April 20 (men's)

[Pantani_lives]

Memorable race. For once the chasers were smart enough to work together instead of riding against each other for second place. Two vs. one is a big advantage on the flat parts against the wind.

Skjelmose gave a tactical masterclass on how to win as the third dog. Perhaps they could have dropped him on the final Cauberg, but the two favorites were marking each other. In the sprint all three were cooked, but Skjelmose made good use of the slipstream to come out at the very last moment. He won by a combination of power and brains.

Also a good race by Van Wilder, who kept the gap under control in a crucial phase.

 

[Red Rick]

For all those that claim this is a boring era, this classics season has been great.

Incredible turnaround, this time Pogačar attacked too early and got caught and beaten but man what a win for Skjelmose, he had the guts to go on the attsck after Pogačar and then worked very well with Remco to caught him and then used his sprint to take the win. Lidl-Trek will be in a great position for Flèche with him and Nys as two of the big favourites and Skjelmose is also an outsider for Liège.

Pogačar showed that he is human today, great so many classics in sequence is not easy and I think today he paid for all his efforts especially Roubaix. However I still think he has a good chance of winning Liège especially if he sits out of Flèche.

Remco showing that he is already in great shape, the crash didn't help as well as starting his sprint a bit too early but he is in great shape for Liège which suits him better than Flèche.

Van Aert once again fourth. Good result for such a hard race and at least this time he won the sprint.

Sanremo was exceptional, but RVV was literally completely according to expectations with the only question being if Van der Poel gets dropped last Kwaremont and Roubaix wasn't that special outside of the novelty element of Pogacar racing it and then predictably coming up short.

Omloop, Kuurne, Strade, E3 and GW were all bad.

 

[Low is rhe new high]

Eddy the goat, would not have lost a sprint like that.

 

[topcat]

Remco should have launched his sprint on the Cauberg. A very amusing cameo by Alaphilippe. I suppose the race was great because the Pog was there for the taking. Perfect that Skjelmose won too.
(Unfortunately, I expect the Pog to reload and be in unbeatable form in Liege, but maybe, just maybe ... so I'll watch LBL anyway - it's kind of my monument).

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

...really terrible race, huh...

 

[CyclistAbi]

Pogi and Remco have some explaining left to do. Chapeau Mattias!

 

[scribers]

Let’s be honest here. Alaphilippe is responsible for this disaster

I called it. @Ilmaestro99 owes me an apology for the angry react unless he hoped pogi would win!

 

[tobydawq]

Sanremo was exceptional, but RVV was literally completely according to expectations with the only question being if Van der Poel gets dropped last Kwaremont and Roubaix wasn't that special outside of the novelty element of Pogacar racing it and then predictably coming up short.

Omloop, Kuurne, Strade, E3 and GW were all bad.

But it is the monuments that really count and you're definitely selling RVV and PR short. Obviously, if you only watched the last 15 kms of either, they were processional, but in both of them there was real intrigue for a long while. Also, they were opened at distances that were simply incomprehensible 10 years ago.

And today's race was simply incredible - perhaps even causing a seismic shift in cycling.

And Strade was not that bad.

 

[Cookster15]

Congrats to Skjelmose, biggest win of his career.

Seems Pogacar couldn't go away with it. He is human after all. Chasers got their act together? Maybe a lesson there.

​

 

[Brullnux]

But it is the monuments that really count and you're definitely selling RVV and PR short. Obviously, if you only watched the last 15 kms of either, they were processional, but in both of them there was real intrigue for a long while. Also, they were opened at distances that were simply incomprehensible 10 years ago.

And today's race was simply incredible - perhaps even causing a seismic shift in cycling.

And Strade was not that bad.

I see your point about Paris-Roubaix, and I understand that for a neutral observer there was 90km of Pogacar v MvdP before it was decided by experience and XC skills.

Unfortunately, the race was a two-hour hate watch for me, so I have to disagree.

 

[Unchained]

Congrats to Skjelmose, biggest win of his career.

Seems Pogacar couldn't go away with it. He is human after all. Chasers got their act together? Maybe a lesson there.

​

The lesson I thought was playing out in real time and slow motion replay was gear restrictions!! Pogacar got all lumpy on his last dozen pedal revolutions, like he had no resistance! All three had excellent looking sprints with high cadence!! And many times when Remco surged Pog was looking pretty human, he needed to work at keeping his wheel. I enjoyed all three checking rearview mirror as the second group was closing on them.. A Wout win would have been super funny!!

 

[Sciatic]

But it is the monuments that really count and you're definitely selling RVV and PR short. Obviously, if you only watched the last 15 kms of either, they were processional, but in both of them there was real intrigue for a long while. Also, they were opened at distances that were simply incomprehensible 10 years ago.

And today's race was simply incredible - perhaps even causing a seismic shift in cycling.

And Strade was not that bad.

I agree with everything except the bolded. The monuments count more, but as far as I'm concerned if someone thinks it's worth watching it counts!

 

[Roku]

Alexander Kamp does it again. Finishing dead last on every race and suddenly looks good again with 18th place. Ride everyday like it was Amstel Gold Race, dude!

 

[KenFiamingo]

Alaphilippe doing the leadout.

He about to crack and finish 20th

Do you also do lottery numbers?

 

[Andy262]

Haven’t watched it yet but not clear why Pog rode this egg and spoon race. No need to turn out after riding De Ronde and Roubaix. Much as he would nail FW, might be worth saving himself for Liege.

 

[Samamba]

Do you also do lottery numbers?

LOL I just realized he actually finished 20th

 

[topcat]

LOL I just realized he actually finished 20th

Not bad, considering he dropped everyone except el machete.
It's difficult being an Alaphilippe fan these days but I get great emotional support on the forum.

 

[Berniece]

Haven’t watched it yet but not clear why Pog rode this egg and spoon race. No need to turn out after riding De Ronde and Roubaix. Much as he would nail FW, might be worth saving himself for Liege.

Indeed, if he wants to be more competitive and increase his chance to win another monument, just skip FW. You aren’t going to win the treble anyway, so who cares. This is a minor race on your whole palmares.

 

[Lequack]

Pog attacking and going solo was expected. Him getting caught was not, but in the end it was better for the race spectacle. Skjemose winning out of those three was not on any list today, but it's great when an underdog manages to win. Also Remco is properly back, he's now clearly the best Belgian.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1913972066052645167

View: https://x.com/Eurosport_ES/status/1913972066052645167

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

always wondered what would happen when Pogi would go solo but had a strong Remco behind him. Now we know.

If Evenepoel didn't fall and had to chase back 2 mins it might have been different even more....

 

[Lequack]

A really cool moment (I thought) was when Evenepoel caught Skjelmose, he gave him a quick gesture that says jump on. Basically, the kid took responsibility for being the lead chaser to catch Pogacar, and did not get bent out of shape by Skjelmose not taking big pulls.

Remco: "Quick get on my wheel, I will take you to Pog. Only you can beat him!"

 

[scribers]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1913972066052645167

View: https://x.com/Eurosport_ES/status/1913972066052645167

oNLY solo pogi won was this chug contest

 

[scribers]

A really cool moment (I thought) was when Evenepoel caught Skjelmose, he gave him a quick gesture that says jump on. Basically, the kid took responsibility for being the lead chaser to catch Pogacar, and did not get bent out of shape by Skjelmose not taking big pulls.

In fairness to Remco, even riders behind him are usually eating substantial wind.

 

[rallybanana]

Another half hour or so, if you're catching it on Tiz. (I have to check for some VPN alternatives because Tiz is so unreliable.)

I see what you mean. The Tiz live stream froze about 5 metres before the finish

 

[gregrowlerson]

Congrats to Sklejmose on beating giants. That was a good battle. Teddy caught by Remco and lost the sprint. Energy levels down after Flandres PR double and before Liege? Maybe. Should've skipped it.

I think he will skip FW now.