Amstel Gold Race in photos

Holland’s biggest race had been carnage with several big names crashing out during the early parts of the day. Geraint Thomas (Sky), Dan Martin (Garmin-Sharp) and Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) all DNF’d as a result of crashes on the tough course with 34 climbs.

10 riders had attacked and stayed away soon after start in Maastricht, and their gap made it’s way to almost 15 minutes by the time they hit the Cauberg for the first of four times. It was only when several teams began their chase that the gap began to dwindle, and the leader’s gap had more than halved when the pace lifted 50km from the finish (see video of final 50km here).

Nicola Boem (Bardiani CSF), Preben Van Hecke (Topsport Vlaanderen) and Christophe Riblon (AG2R) managed to say away but they were swept up by a seven-man chase bunch which included Thomas Voeckler (Europcar), Jakob Fuglsang (Astana) and Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing) on the final lap.

The relentless pace of the peloton ensured that everything came back together in the last 8km and with a tailwind up the Cauberg it was the favorites who came to the front and attacked at the bottom of the final ascent of the Cauberg.

Gilbert’s teammate Samuel Sanchez had kicked things off on the iconic Cauberg climb, but when he wilted Gilbert was perfectly positioned to fire off the front and passed Simon Gerrans and Alejandro Valverde as he powered over the summit. Gilbert then pressed home his advantage on the 1.8km section where he sat up in the final 50m and savoured his victory by two seconds.

Jelle Vanendert (Lotto Belisol) made it a Belgian 1-2 in Holland, while Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEDGE) rounded out the podium in third.

“This was a particularly emotional win for me,” Gilbert said. “My wife and my kids were here for the first time in two years. So to win will be something they will never forget. I have been dreaming of this.”

Asked whether he might win all three Ardennes classics – the Amstel Gold Race, La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège – as he did in 2011, Gilbert said: “I have started well in any case. It would be fantastic…but for now I’m just enjoying this.”

Race Results

1.	GILBERT Philippe BMC Racing Team	06:25:57
2.	VANENDERT Jelle Lotto Belisol	0:05
3.	GERRANS Simon Orica GreenEDGE	0:06

Photo Gallery

: Team presentation in the city square at Maastricht, Netherlands.

: One of the pre-race favorites before Amstel Gold, Simon Gerrans.

: Frank Schleck being interviewed before the start.

: The peloton cruising through Holland.

: The 10 rider breakaway who managed to get away from the start and build up a maximum advantage of 15 minutes.

: The lead breakaway.

: So much for the new UCI rule about not being allowed on footpaths.

: The famous Cauberg climb.

: Cyclo-mad cafe at the base of the Cauberg.

: Dutch Champion Johnny Hoogerland (AndroniGiocattoli-Venezuela) up the ‘steepest climb in Holland: Keutenberg (22%).

: Jurgen Van den Broeck (Lotto-Belisol) up the ‘steepest climb’ in Holland: Keutenberg (22%)

: The breakaway group on the Loorberg.

: The peloton riding up the Gulperberg (max 19%)

: Japan national champion Yukiya Arashiro (Europcar) up the very steep Gulperberg (max 19%)

: The peloton riding up the Gulperberg.

: Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) riding up the Gulperberg.

: Davide Rebellin (CCC Polsat Polkowice) was the oldest rider of the race. He won Amstel Gold Race ten years ago in 2004 and dominated the Ardennes Classics, only to be caught for doping (CERA) in 2009.

: Christophe Riblon and the breakaway group leading the race up the Gulperberg. Christophe would later get the combativity price for the day.

: Michal Kwiatkowski (OPQS) was a pre-race favorite and led OPQS for the day.

: Michal Golas and Tony Martin protecting Kwiatkowski as their team leader of the day

: Pim Ligthart (Lotto-Belisol) with the breakaway group on the Loorberg.

: Pirmin Lang (IAM) & Christophe Riblon (AG2R-La Mondiale) speeding along in the breakaway.

: Japanese champion Yukiya Arashiro going back to the team car for a feed.

: Christophe Riblon (AG2R-La Mondiale) & Preben Van Hecke (Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise) up the ‘steepest climb’ in Holland: Keutenberg (22%)

: Thomas Voeckler (Europcar), Tim Wellens (Lotto-Belisol), Pieter Weening (Orica-GreenEDGE) and others bridging to the breakaway group.

: Carlos Betancur (AG2R-La Mondiale)

: The peloton on the Camerig climb.

: Philippe Gilbert attacks at the bottom of the Cauberg with Simon Gerrans on his wheel

: Gilbert maintains a gap with Gerrans and Valverde in sight

: 50m before the finish Gilbert was able to celebrate his third Amstel Gold Race victory.

: Jelle Vanendert hangs on for second place.

: Simon Gerrans leads Valverde and manages to snag a podium spot for third place.

: Michael Matthews was pipped for the win at Brabantse Pijl by Gilbert last Wednesday. Matthews came in a very respectable 12th place at Amstel Gold.

: Simon Gerrans at the finish line with a split lip.

: A big smile from Philippe Gilbert along with BMC’s press officer Georges Luchinger.

: Philippe Gilbert with his son Allan celebrating his win.

: Jelle Vanendert, Philippe Gilbert and Simon Gerrans on the podium.

Matt

What a finish!
jon jon

Initially I can’t helped but to question his back-to-back wins. There was a bit of doubt on my part in regards his performance last season compared to this season, but it seems that Gilbert lost quiet a bit of weight from his training, I guess he is finally sick of loosing. Hopefully the fans will see more of him on the top step!!
- Sean
  
  Yep he does look leaner, would be interested if anyone in the know can confirm.
- Paolo
  
  Gerrans looks like a bodybuilder compared to Gilbert.I think so too, Gilbert got sick of loosing (or not winning). He’s so good to watch. A Gilbert attack always looks like the cycling gods filming a real life example for the “How to attack powerful when already hurting” chapter.
Michele

Split lip? Haven’t read a race report explaining why ..

I’m guessing he bit down too hard in his efforts up the Cauberg.

I would love the UCI to ban those riders [any riders] who choose to ride on paths like that shot shows. Get the commissaire to give them a suspended sentence, or big fine. Do something.

What happens if one of those spectators panics seeing a half dozen riders coming for them? Or if they don’t even see them as they’re too busy shooting away.

There is a safety issue at play here. Wonder what it will take for the UCI to get serious about this ruling.
- Justin
  
  Not to mention the cars parked all over the circuit! A law in the Netherlands allows them to be parked close to the circuit according to the SBS feed commentators. Great to see Phil winning again. Text book stuff but the main protagonists are not readers it seems.
Ankush Agarwal

Riding up the Cauberg in big ring, FTW!
Jack Begbie

Gerran’s Aus champion kit looks rad!

Amstel Gold Race in photos

by Wade Wallace

Race Results

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