Amstel Gold Race 2017

joujoujou

Live coverage starts 13:45 on Eurosport.

Map and profile: http://www.cyclingstage.com/imap-iframe.php?file=amstel-gold-race/2017/route.kml%3F4&length=261&mountains=nl

My favourites: Kwiatkowski, Valverde, Wellens, van Avermaet.

http://www.cyclingstage.com/amstel-gold-race-2017/

Kaisr Sose

Thanks for starting the thread. Difficult to call this one..Gilbert?

joujoujou

My fault (or EPG's fault alright). Anyway, live coverage starting just now.

pelevin

Not sure how suited the course is to Dan Martin is, but he's part of a very strong QSF team along with likes of Gilbert. Be nice if eyes on him could open things up for Dan.

godtabh

When is this due to finish?

pelevin

godtabh wrote: »

When is this due to finish?

96kms to go so whatever that adds up to.

joujoujou

In the meantime, results Amstel Gold Race Ladies Edition:

1. Anna van der Breggen (NED)
2. Elizabeth Deignan-Armitstead (GBR)
3. Katarzyna Niewiadoma (POL)

v d Breggen held off chasing group to win her home race. Her teammmate outsprinted Niewiadoma on the line.

joujoujou

godtabh wrote: »

When is this due to finish?

Approx 16:00.

http://www.cyclingstage.com/images/amstel-gold-race/2017/times.htm

pelevin

Race is properly on now. Gilbert in a quality group gone ahead. 36kms left. GVA missed the move.

dastardly00

Just tuned in now.

Any sign of Dan?

Interesting that it's the GCN duo of Daniel Lloyd and Matt Stephens doing the commentary today

pelevin

Don't think Dan seems too up there from what we've seen since it kicked off a few km's back.

dastardly00

Gilbert looks to be the strongest rider but he's putting in a lot of work on the front.

Kwiat attacking now. GVA and Valverde not too far behnind.

dastardly00

A Gilbert/Kwiatkowski/GVA/Valverde showdown would be class

joujoujou

Rain started just now, I guess it will be even more interesting.

pelevin

Kwiatkowski looking very strong & comfortable there.

pelevin

Looking like Valverde doesn't win a race shocker.

retalivity

Surely kwia has this in the bag?

dastardly00

If this comes down to a 7-man sprint, Rojas will have a great chance to win because he hasn't done a tap of work (and is a decent sprinter).

pelevin

These races last year Albasini was superb. Could he have a go in him on the last climb? Will find out soon enough.

dastardly00

Eh Cannondale are a bit too late to join the party. Dunno why they are only drilling the front now.

joujoujou

Kwiatkowski + Gilbert attacked on the last climb. Now couple of seconds ahead.

joujoujou

Gilbert wins. Michał second.

neris

Gilbert get that??

pelevin

Wahayyy delighted Gilbert got it.

dastardly00

Wow. I thought Kwiat had the sprint in the bag once he got ahead of Gilbert, but he couldn't hold on.

Lumen

Ugh. Gilbert.

dastardly00

Best Amstel race in a long time. Well done to the organisers for the course change.

dastardly00

Dan was a DNF. I presume his focus is on Wednesday and then LBL.

pprendeville

Quality classics this year. Been absolutely spoilt. The Belgians are cleaning up.

dermabrasion

If I'd seen another pas normal Valverde win.....I dunno, but I'd be feeling pretty deflated

Kaisr Sose

Kaisr Sose wrote: »

Thanks for starting the thread. Difficult to call this one..Gilbert?

Wow I called it!!

Alas, no money where mouth was!!

Thought Kwiat had it with 150 to go, but Gilbert was very strong!

robyntmorton

Kwiat seemed set to take the win going in to the last 200 or so, and then just... died. Gilbert was very powerful in keeping the push on, and seemed to take it at a canter in the end.

dastardly00

Gilbert out of remaining Ardennes with kidney injury

The Belgian champion was diagnosed with a tear to his right kidney and will need to take a week of complete recovery, ruling him out of Wednesday’s Fleche Wallonne, and Liege-Bastogne-Liege, on Sunday.

From a purely (selfish) Irish perspective, this makes Dan the clear Quick-Step leader for the two remaining Ardennes classics (since Alaphilippe is also injured).

Alas for Fleche Wallone, it's hard to see anyone beating Valverde. So best place for Dan could be second (again).

LBL is far more open.