In theory, the removal of the Cauberg from the 2017 Amstel Gold Race should have worked against Philippe Gilbert (QuickStep Floors). After all, it was on that particular climb that the Belgian fashioned his three previous wins in The Netherlands’ only one-day WorldTour race, and likewise his victory at the 2012 Road World Championships.
But on Sunday, Gilbert showed that it was a case of ‘No Cauberg, no problem’. The QuickStep Floors recruit got himself into an elite lead group late in proceedings and then followed a decisive move from Michal Kwiatkowski (Sky) on the day’s final climb. In the two-up sprint that followed, Gilbert was the underdog, but the 34-year-old Belgian timed his run to perfection, sitting up with enough time to celebrate as he crossed the line.
The win continues Gilbert’s imposing start to the 2017 season; a season that includes a stage win and the overall at the Three Days of De Panne, a thrilling solo win at the Tour of Flanders, and second-place finishes at Dwars Door Vlaanderen and E3 Harelbeke. Perhaps most impressive about his win on Sunday was the fact it came after an early crash that left him with a small tear in his kidney, an injury that will see him miss Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege this week.
We hope you enjoy the following gallery from the 2017 Amstel Gold Race, with images courtesy of Kristof Ramon, Ashley & Jered Gruber and Cor Vos.
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- Despite the removal of the final Cauberg ascent, Gilbert went into the race as one of the favourites.
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- A 12-rider break got up the road early in proceedings.
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- Among the breakaway riders was Melbournian Brendan Canty (Cannondale-Drapac) who’s riding his first season in the WorldTour.
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- Gilbert had an early crash and had some back pain immediately afterwards. The pain disappeared and Gilbert went on to win the race, but it turned out the Belgian champion had a small tear in his kidney.
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- This year’s Amstel Gold Race featured no fewer than 35 climbs.
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- The Cauberg wasn’t the final ascent of the 2017 Amstel Gold Race, but the riders did still climb it three times.
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- It wouldn’t be a Dutch bike race without passing by the occasion windmill.
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- There’s no time for lunch when the pace is on.
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- Tim Wellens went on the attack, of course.
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- Belgian rising star Tiesj Benoot (Lotto Soudal) had a crash …
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- … but later initiated the move that split the peloton with 38km to go.
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- The Benoot group split again, leaving a dangerous group of six up front at the business end.
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- Greg Van Avermaet helped to create a chasing group, which included Alejandro Valverde.
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- An Kwiatkowski attack from the lead group on the day’s final climb — the Bemelerberg — left only Gilbert able to follow.
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- The pair quickly opened a gap on the group they’d been in …
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- … and traded turns in the remaining 5km to the line.
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- Seemingly spooked by the group behind, Kwiatkowski opened his sprint very early (300 metres from the line, into a headwind).
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- Gilbert was several lengths back but managed to catch then pass his Polish rival …
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- … with enough time to remind everyone just how many times he’d now won the Amstel Gold Race.
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- Australia’s Nathan Haas rode superbly to get into the lead group and ended up finishing fourth, with Michael Albasini (Orica-Scott) winning the sprint for third.
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- When the race’s title sponsor is a beer brand, it only makes sense to have a celebratory drink on the podium.
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- 1st: Philippe Gilbert. 2nd: Michal Kwiatkowski. 3rd: Michael Albasini.
