Snuck in before Paris-Roubaix this year, Amstel Gold race makes the transition between the cobbled and hilly classics, where the puncheurs and climbers come to the spotlight in what is the first of the Ardennes classics. It will take place in the tenth of April, and is one of the final spring classics.
250 kilometers on a menu. A test of endurance, a race that features small but repetitive climbs in Limburg to make for what is one of the most unique days of the season. It is the first of the three Ardennes classics, and the one that suits the most the rouleurs and riders who are coming straight from the cobbled classics campaign.
Climbs come thick and fast throughout the whole day, it is unlikely that serious action will come before the final hour though as it will be crucial to spend as little bullets as possible In order to have the legs towards the finale. From 45 to 27 kilometers to go there will be a string of small asccents, six in total which will be very hard to control. Every climb provides an opportunity, and in these 16 kilometers you’ll see a lot of action off the front as it’s very hard to control.
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Final startlist Amstel Gold Race with van der Poel, Pidcock, Asgreen, Hirschi, Laporte and Matthews
The Cauberg comes with 17.5 kilometers to go, it’s the climb that used to close off the race. It still is the last serious climb of the race, but the attacks have to be done earlier. 800 meters at 6.5%, which then see a set of rolling roads where to make differences will be very complicated. The Bemelerberg is the final climb of the day, just 500 meters at 5.6% with 6 kilometers to go. It is a possible launchpad but slipstreaming is very possible. From there on there will be some narrower roads, very fast all the way into Berg en Terblijt, sense of opportunity may be more important than raw power.
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