"It was a sprint of dying swans": Emiel Verstrynge and Mauri Vansevenant reflect on a brutal battle for the podium at the Amstel Gold Race
Cycling
While Remco Evenepoel grabbed the headlines with a phenomenal victory at the Amstel Gold Race, outsprinting Mattias Skjelmose, a completely different war of attrition was unfolding nearly two minutes down the road. Among those fighting through the agony for the final spot on the podium were Belgian talents Emiel Verstrynge and Mauri Vansevenant. Despite missing out on the absolute top prizes, both riders crossed the finish line entirely depleted but highly satisfied with their heroic efforts.
"I am very happy, because I had to go very deep. That fifth place was definitely worth it," Verstrynge admitted in a post-race interview. "I had a difficult moment on the Keutenberg and that pursuit really took a toll on me. After that, I struggled again on the Cauberg, but fortunately I was able to set it right. I am certainly satisfied with this, and the strongest man won."
No legs left to launch an attack
Alongside Verstrynge in that elite chasing group was Mauri Vansevenant. As he crossed the finish line, the pure exhaustion was painted all over his face.
"Everyone was completely dead," Vansevenant noted bluntly. "It was a sprint of dying swans. Everyone was on the limit at the end, also partly due to the weather. On these roads, the race becomes extra nervous then."
Jorgenson and Artz crashed hard when trying to follow Evenepoel
The final ascent of the Cauberg is traditionally the perfect launching pad for spectacular late attacks, but this year, the dynamic behind Evenepoel and Skjelmose was one of pure survival. Vansevenant explained that the tactical games completely shut down on the famous climb because not a single rider in the group possessed the necessary power to accelerate.
"I had to sit down on the Cauberg myself, and everyone was just looking at each other. No one had the legs to do anything anymore," Vansevenant explained regarding the agonizing final kilometers. "I was in a nice group and I showed that my legs were in order. I just came up a bit short for the podium. And with Remco, we indeed have the deserved winner."
Read also
Félix SernaCycling Journalist
Félix Serna is a writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2025. He covers professional cycling across both the men’s and women’s calendars, with a focus on UCI rankings, race developments, and rider performance. His work includes interview-based reports, liveblogs, and tournament coverage designed to provide clear, accurate context throughout the season.
In his reporting, Félix regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical reference. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- Hmmm, you seem to have a very convenient black and white view of things. Perhaps you haven’t been around much to discover how complex problems can become over time with people who know how to control, manipulate (or worse) others so gradually or subtly that you arrive at an irresolvable situation before you realise. This is how many inconveniences get introduced to the young, naïve, passionate or “desperate”, knowing they are not armed, protected or strong enough to defend themselves once it’s too late. Why do you think omerta culture is so widespread, why do you think so many people continue to go through so many awful things in life that others can’t understand anyone getting into? Life may be far more jolly for you but you would do well to understand (or reflect more on) the real world to refrain from being so quick to criticise those in a hard spot that may have genuine reason for speaking out.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Seriously do you think when somebody gets into a serious accident, the ambulance is called by the hurt person?🤦 there is always a buddy system in place for a risky job. police , firefighters etc so that if someone gets hurt, the other call that in.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
Loading
Write a comment