(Dutch Beer Race) Amstel Gold Race 2021, 216.7k. Sunday.

[RedheadDane]

I hope they don't get dizzy...

I don't think they're gonna empty a beer every time they pass the finish line. Though, that could make for an interesting concept.

 

[Lequack]

Wait why is this race now a criterium? Is it just because of covid or something?

 

[Max Rockatansky]

When was the last time that Amstel ended in a sprint of 15-20 riders? Zabel in 2000?

Conditions will be dry, it's really a semi classic here, way too short...so yes...a small group sprint.

 

[roundabout]

When was the last time that Amstel ended in a sprint of 15-20 riders? Zabel in 2000?

Conditions will be dry, it's really a semi classic here, way too short...so yes...a small group sprint.

There was a bunch sprint up the Cauberg in 2005 or whatever the year there was fog and zero coverage as the result

Edit: google says it was a smaller group than I remembered, but still a group sprint

Edit 2: probably 40 riders at a glance

View: https://youtu.be/P5gkMuw99aw?t=154

 

[Mayomaniac]

Wait why is this race now a criterium? Is it just because of covid or something?

Yes, apparently it's easier to keep crowds away this way.
They could have made it a bit longer, I guess the favourites will all wait for the final Cauberg ascent. I guess it's gonna be similar to the edition that Kwaitkowski won, a sprint between around 20 riders after the Cauberg.

 

[Bonimenier]

When was the last time that Amstel ended in a sprint of 15-20 riders? Zabel in 2000?

Conditions will be dry, it's really a semi classic here, way too short...so yes...a small group sprint.

Probably the one Kwiatkowski won in 2015.

 

[Red Rick]

In 2015 it was a natural consequence of everyone waiting for the Cauberg and the group not being fractured enough though. This time the final Cauberg is at almost 20km to go, which is the only good thing.

 

[Bardamu]

Pretty much.

Cauberg is literally only hard for 200m, Bemeler is easy as all hell, and I think they only do the 2nd half of the Geulhemmerberg.

I think it's probably easier than than Brabantse Pijl this year.

How exactly would you only do the second half of the Geulhemmerberg?

 

[RedheadDane]

How exactly would you only do the second half of the Geulhemmerberg?

Teleportation?

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Wait why is this race now a criterium? Is it just because of covid or something?

they can't organize the race because of dutch mayors butting in otherwise. It won't allow a normal race

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

btw, if people truelly expect the race to be easier they underestimate this circuit by a long shot. Coming from a local

It's a lot of corners, uphill, downhill, no recovery.

 

[Koronin]

This one can easily end up in a large reduced field sprint.

My pick for race winner is alcohol.

 

[Red Rick]

btw, if people truelly expect the race to be easier they underestimate this circuit by a long shot. Coming from a local

It's a lot of corners, uphill, downhill, no recovery.

Bemelerberg is basically recovery

 

[sir fly]

btw, if people truelly expect the race to be easier they underestimate this circuit by a long shot. Coming from a local

It's a lot of corners, uphill, downhill, no recovery.

It really depends on the way it's gonna be ridden.
Though, the circuit leans toward a reduced group containing finiseurs, puncheurs and some rouleurs.

 

[Lequack]

Wout: "Yeah so, I heard you'll be working for me."
Roglic: "What! I heard just the opposite."

 

[Samu Cuenca]

This one can easily end up in a large reduced field sprint.

My pick for race winner is alcohol.

I don't see an Al Cohol on the startlist. Which team does he ride for?

 

[sir fly]

I don't see an Al Cohol on the startlist. Which team does he ride for?

Apparently, they're prohibited.

 

[BlueRoads]

5 times more people think my choices are ridiculous than that Pidcock or Kwiat will win.
Is this just because I forgot Trentin or is there something else behind it?

 

[Lequack]

 

[Red Rick]

btw, if people truelly expect the race to be easier they underestimate this circuit by a long shot. Coming from a local

It's a lot of corners, uphill, downhill, no recovery.

But it's always technical, and the hardest hills aren't there. Maybe a reduced bunch sprint is overstating it looking at Brabantse Pijl, but that at least had steeper hills even if shorter.

I think Cauberg is the sort of hill that doesn't create much seperation between larger groups at all, just between individuals short range.

I do think GP Montreal is perhaps the best comparison, and that's seen a lot of larger group sprints.

 

[Koronin]

5 times more people think my choices are ridiculous than that Pidcock or Kwiat will win.
Is this just because I forgot Trentin or is there something else behind it?

My reason is alcohol being a better choice as it's likely the vast majority of us fans will be drinking some form of it.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

But it's always technical, and the hardest hills aren't there. Maybe a reduced bunch sprint is overstating it looking at Brabantse Pijl, but that at least had steeper hills even if shorter.

I think Cauberg is the sort of hill that doesn't create much seperation between larger groups at all, just between individuals short range.

I do think GP Montreal is perhaps the best comparison, and that's seen a lot of larger group sprints.

i really don't see any remote chance of it ending a group sprint unless they race it as in the cauberg finish years.

I mean it's sad theres no VDP to guarantee racing at 50km+ but if anyone else is aggresive early, it's gonna be a very small selection.

 

[RedheadDane]

It's a shame Matthew Beers never really broke through.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

It's a shame Matthew Beers never really broke through.

And DELKO isn't invited so we won't see Rudy Barbier either.

 

[Red Rick]

i really don't see any remote chance of it ending a group sprint unless they race it as in the cauberg finish years.

I mean it's sad theres no VDP to guarantee racing at 50km+ but if anyone else is aggresive early, it's gonna be a very small selection.

Every big circuit race with a simlar profile in the last few years wasn't all that selective. I think Bergen 2017 is another example.