Amstel is Gold, Jerry, Gold! Men's Classic One-Day Race, April 14, 2024

[DNP-Old]

Already looking forward to the Tour:

"Top competitors are Chris Froome..."

He wouldn't make the list because of Cavendish, Roglic and Kristoff.

 

[wansteadimp]

VDP will normally be the winner. Still in shape and a track that suits him. Curvy and with short but steep climbs. Pogacar is not participating.
Liege is different. Longer climbs. Maybe already past the peak of his condition...... and a Pogacar in topshape.

And this is the world of cycling we have now.

The guy with 6 races days in 5 weeks will be past his peak and the guy that hasn't raced in nearly a month will turn up in top shape.

 

[velaso montador]

1.MvdP 2. Van Gils 3.Skjelmose.

 

[red_flanders]

I would bet my left nut it's a hairline fracture not visible on Xray.

Just checking if anyone collected on this bet...

 

[EddyMazzoleni]

I was high as a kite when I made it. Errors are possible.

At least you had a good time

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Just checking if anyone collected on this bet...

@Logic-is-your-friend may have some strange pictures in his PM inbox

 

[EddyMazzoleni]

It's really interesting to see how this plays out. I think the climber type should try to drop MvdP on Eyserbosweg and Keutenberg, because the last 2 climb are really suited to him. But then if it's a big group in the last lap, i don't think Mathieu can mark everyone, so it may also try to go solo himself from Cauberg or Geulhemmeberg

 

[search]

I guess Alexander Kamp will somehow find some shape for Amstel as well. Does he come straight from Colombia again?

 

[Unterlenkerfahrend]

Fuglsang getting robbed here was one of the biggest disgraces I've ever seen and part of the Anti-Birdsong-conspiracy in 2019.
I hope he can get his revenge on that Dutch baby faced donkey, good to see him listed as one of the favorites here.

 

[shadowrider]

And this is the world of cycling we have now.

The guy with 6 races days in 5 weeks will be past his peak and the guy that hasn't raced in nearly a month will turn up in top shape.

That's how it works. Being at the highest level after a strong period of training (mostly at altitude). But the highest form can only be maintained for a few weeks. So, VDP still the highest form in the Amstel. Still good in Liege, but not at toplevel. In combination with the longer climbs, Pogacar will be the favorite.

 

[Nick2413]

It still doesn’t make sense to me that guys can be at top level the week after a max effort 6 hour race (even if only a couple hours are true max). Even for the freaks, there’s not many other strength or endurance sports that work that way.

 

[shadowrider]

It still doesn’t make sense to me that guys can be at top level the week after a max effort 6 hour race (even if only a couple hours are true max). Even for the freaks, there’s not many other strength or endurance sports that work that way.

Cycling causes little muscle damage or damage to joints and ligaments (quite a bit in Roubaix). Running a marathon of about two hours is much more grueling than a cycling race of 260 km.

 

[Nick2413]

Cycling causes little muscle damage or damage to joints and ligaments (quite a bit in Roubaix). Running a marathon of about two hours is much more grueling than a cycling race of 260 km.

Yes, but there are other factors like endocrine fatigue, pushing the nervous and circulatory system, etc.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Cycling causes little muscle damage or damage to joints and ligaments (quite a bit in Roubaix). Running a marathon of about two hours is much more grueling than a cycling race of 260 km.

True dat. Running should only be done when being chased.

 

[Escarabajo]

It still doesn’t make sense to me that guys can be at top level the week after a max effort 6 hour race (even if only a couple hours are true max). Even for the freaks, there’s not many other strength or endurance sports that work that way.

Well, there are other variables, of course. Some natural and some not so much.
Furthermore, let's wait and assess their performance next weekend before making any judgments. It's not uncommon to see riders appear strong and win races convincingly, only to struggle and appear fatigued in subsequent races.

 

[proffate]

Just checking if anyone collected on this bet...

Dm your mailing address

 

[Tricycle Rider]

This time around I'm voting for MVDP because he seems the safest bet, but I really hope someone else gets it. (Jorgenson, Healy, McNulty, Jungels, heck, even Odd Christian Eiking just because I like his name... most of these are not on the poll and it's just wishful thinking on my part, I admit.)

 

[staubsauger]

Pidcock, Healy & Cosnefroy!
UAE with a Phalanx of contenders (Ayuso & Hirschi mainly)
Teuns & Benoot who looked sharp at Flanders.
Maybe Madouas gets into shape as well

This isn't going to be a walk in the park for Mathieu IMHO!

 

[RedheadDane]

Still, in order to give the others a fighting chance, VDP should be required to empty a bottle of Amstel Beer on the startline.

 

[King Of The Wolds]

Can't see past ADC. They got the good stuff.

 

[ciranda]

I guess Alexander Kamp will somehow find some shape for Amstel as well. Does he come straight from Colombia again?

you can probably find evidence in his instagram account. he's a rider who has always prepared very methodically for specific races, just like say van der Poel

 

[search]

you can probably find evidence in his instagram account. he's a rider who has always prepared very methodically for specific races, just like say van der Poel

I actually checked that before, but the last picture on his Instagram in from January 2023, and he also doesn't really seem to use any other social media (or Strava)

 

[staubsauger]

Still, in order to give the others a fighting chance, VDP should be required to empty a bottle of Amstel Beer on the startline.

Given he's King Mathieu only the gracious Hertog Jan might be received in audience by him!

 

[RedheadDane]

Given he's King Mathieu only the gracious Hertog Jan might be received in audience by him!

It's the Amstel Gold Race, not the Hertog Jan Race...

 

[rallybanana]

Jan Hertog will win this bike race