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Amstel Gold Race - Discussion
Luis Leon Sanchez
Amstel Gold Race - Preview


It's time for race 2 of the Pro-Tour Hilly Classics and, after a thrilling finish in Wallonie, we head to the Netherlands for a mainstay in the PT calendar, AGR.

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Profiles/mg_amstelgold.jpg


Race History


When I say this is a mainstay, I mean it. We have 6 seasons of recent history to reflect on and many more years before that. Historically, the top Puncheurs have succeeded here and those with a kick have gone on to win it. Last year's winner, Lutsenko, will be the man to beat yet again.

1st2nd3rd
2020LutsenkoSkujinsVan Garderen
2019PonziBoasson HagenSagan
2018PonziBoasson HagenVan Garderen
2017SaganTrofimovBakelants
2016PonziGinnaniTrofimov
2015PonziSpilakGastauer


2021 Race Favourites


We first look at the top favourites on paper for this one. pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/aeg.png De Bie and pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/evo.png MAL are the top 2 pure puncheurs. The next 3 to watch are Wallonie winner pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/iso.png Lutsenko, pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/kng.png Mahoric and pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/mos.png Sagan who is one of the better sprinters of these 5. We also highlight pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/zpc.png Yates who is not quite as pure a puncheur but has one hell of a sprint so if he's there at the end then he's a good shout to get to the line first.

HILSTARESSPRACCFTR
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/aeg.pngSeanDe Bie847776727574
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/evo.pngMiguel AngelLopez847674667880
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/iso.pngAlexeyLutsenko837673728169
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/kng.pngMatejMohoric837872677771
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/mos.pngPeterSagan837874737671
pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/zpc.pngSimonYates817770778074



In Depth Look at the Teams


pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/aeg.png Aegon - Peroni

HILSTARESSPRACCFTR
SeanDe Bie847776727574
EnricoBarbin787573717665
EdoardoZardini777066726872
MichalSchlegel777174647573
Arvidde Kleijn757171747564
ThomasKoep737475525754
GianniVermeersch707478747260
HarmVanhoucke686870676669

In De Bie, Aegon has one of the top pure puncheurs who has a kick to him as well so he'd be hoping for a sprint from a very small group. He can't ask for a much better support crew as he has Barbin, Zardini and Schlegel who are all very capable domestiques who will be hoping to celebrate a victory with their main man after the race tomorrow.

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/amc.png Amaysim Cervélo

HILSTARESSPRACCFTR
ChrisHamilton767174647370
PatrickLane767068637378
MichaelStorer767172647273
JaiHindley747371667174
CameronBayly747072657478
PatrickNaud737273646778
RyanChristensen707674686571
CyrusMonk667469617072

They don't have a real top favourite or leader here so their fans will hope to see one of Hamilton, Lane or Storer being active joining the breakaway or being active in the mid-stage attacks.

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/duo.png Duolingo

HILSTARESSPRACCFTR
BrunoBorges807573718175
RobertGesink777274576268
Choon HuatGoh767474626879
Kyeng HoMin767577626669
NicolaBagioli757471697575
NikitaRazumov697470646669
Elias AbouRachid697172626869
NormanVahtra687069727166

Borges is the main man here and he'd back his chances out of a small group. He hasn't quite got the sprint but he's got a strong kick. He has solid support should he want it from Gesink and Min. In Goh and Bagioli they also have two solid riders who may also look to get out on the attack.

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/eav.png EA Vesuvio

HILSTARESSPRACCFTR
BenGastauer807567657360
DiegoUlissi798270737474
AttilaValter757472697468
WillieSmit757672687481
SjoerdBax757572656773
ZigaRucigaj717273636469
FelixGall716869616865
KristoferGunnlaugsson647076727060

One of few teams here who actually have a 2-pronged attack but not one of the top favourites. Gastauer is a strong pure puncheur but it may be better for the team to focus their attention on Ulissi. The Italian isn't quite the rider he was a few years ago but he's still very capable of getting a result from a small group. They have a few solid domestiques in Valter and Bax while Smit is more aggressive and may look to get some TV time.

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/evo.png Evonik - ELKO

HILSTARESSPRACCFTR
Miguel AngelLopez847674667880
MartinsBlums777173647073
KasparsSergis766973587076
KristapsBudenieks757075697475
RamunasNavardauskas747272746873
JanPolanc737873677567
StephenWilliams727275657273
JanXandri726673606975

The focus of Evonik and their fans attention is on one man and he's a bit of a household name at this point. Miguel Angel Lopez is the rider to watch here in the Netherlands and hopefully he injects life into this one. His supporting crew carries plenty of strength and aggression, although their Manager won't want to see any attacks from them, too with Blums, Sergis and Budenieks.

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/fpc.png Farfetch Pro Cycling

HILSTARESSPRACCFTR
RubenGuerreiro777373727261
AlbertoBettiol777875717775
KevinGeniets747275616672
JodokSalzmann717776677170
ZisisSoulious717272707560
StefanDe Bod707578606867
InigoElosegui687376606964
EdoardoAffini667375646972

Another team lacking a real leader here but they will hope to see some aggressive riding from their riders, with their main man being Bettiol who is aggressive and punchy.

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/fes.png Festina - OAKA

HILSTARESSPRACCFTR
ClementKoretzky817770717973
AidanVan Niekerk787275637482
CharalampasKastrantas757071627375
AndreasMiltiadis737070617365
AimilianoVila726871667072
IoannidisKiriakidis727172637170
RemyRochas727069617170
MarkusKopfauf676673737270

The Frechman may not be the top favourite here but he's been strong for a long time and he delivers more often than not. In Wallonie last week he just missed out on the podium so he'll be hoping for more here. His main lieutenant may be relieved of support duties here and that is PCM legend, Van Niekerk. He's a very aggressive rider who is one to watch for the future and he may have the opportunity to show some of that tomorrow.

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/gzl.png Gazelle

HILSTARESSPRACCFTR
DavideFormolo807676697166
RomanSenyenov776873687372
JanTratnik777475617071
KamilMalecki767175717670
BlazFurdi767572687166
MorenoHofland767672687275
NansPeters767276656973
JulienBernard757273697375

Formolo may not look like one of the top Puncheurs on paper but he took a very strong 2nd in the recent GP Wallonie so he comes here off the back of some great form. He also has by far the best team behind him from start to finish. It's like his team mates are all just weaker versions of him. In Hofland and Bernard they also have two riders who like to attack and they'll have the perfect opportunity to.

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/gen.png Generali

HILSTARESSPRACCFTR
Lucas ManuelGaday757572717361
MilanMenten737576686862
PedroSequera737875586870
JulienVermote707471687273
GinoMäder707274676470
AdrianMalori677372626769

Easily the weakest team here and with only 6 riders present this race clearly isn't a priority for Generali. They would still hope for a bit of TV time for the sponsors by getting in the early breakaways.

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/grm.png Grieg-Maersk

HILSTARESSPRACCFTR
GonzaloSerrano777375687777
JonathanLastra757273697174
IngvarOmarsson747167687268
ChristopheLaporte737274727367
BenjaminBrkic737372677264
Trond HakonTrondsen727273767666
JonasVingegaard697476616668
Jo KogstadRingheim677571737566

They're not a lot stronger than Generali but in Serrano and Lastra they have 2 fairly aggressive riders who are still capable of getting over a hill. Their target would also be to be active at the front early in the race.

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/hsk.png Huski Chocolate

HILSTARESSPRACCFTR
TiesjBenoot797574697162
FlorisGerts787680727069
MauritsLammertink767573686981
LennardHofstede767371617478
ValerioConti757071687470
AntwanTolhoek757172586976
JamalHibatullah706865606862
MunkhtulgaErdenesuren627069686662

Another team without a top top leader but with 2 riders who could bring in some good points and surprise results. Benoot is a very capable rider in his own right while Gerts has some strength too. In Lammertink, Hofstede and Tolhoek they also have a trio of aggressive puncheurs who should look to attack and show themselves.

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/isa.png ISA - Hexacta

HILSTARESSPRACCFTR
PetrVakoc817571717461
EduardoSepulveda777473707370
LeoVincent777972677169
IlnurZakarin777473657376
GuySagiv737371727266
IliaKoshevoy737172606974
NicholasDlamini727472626868
Chun KaiFeng727270596073

The obvious focus of the ISA team here is on Vakoc who should be a Top 10 rider here pushing for a Top 5 if he's in good form. He has a trusty domestique duo of Supulveda and Vincent while Zakarin may get a bit of freedom to be more aggressive. Their other 4 riders are also solid domestiques as well so Vakoc shouldn't be left alone too early on.

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/iso.png Isostar - Specialized

HILSTARESSPRACCFTR
AlexeyLutsenko837673728169
DavideVillella777274658074
Carl FredrikHagen757472717274
PawelBernas757571707382
RomainBardet747270527567
Shaun NickBester727471717171
GavinMannion717276617167
DavidPer707475747468

We could look at the attacking options in this team in the likes of Bernal who would love to flex his legs a bit but the focus has to be on 1 man. Alexey Lutsenko is here to defend his title from 2020 and he comes here on the back of terrific form after a win in Wallonie. He's one of the top pure puncheurs and he has one hell of an acceleration as well. His team should target a very reduced sprint between the top favourites as long as Yates isn't there. Villela, Hagen and Bardet will be tasked with keeping their leader safe until it's his time to shine.

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/kng.png King Power

HILSTARESSPRACCFTR
MatejMohoric837872677771
YevgeniyGidich807877627576
SarawutSirironnachai777774647380
RonnilanQuita757574717281
Nur AmirulMarzuki747172727264
ThurakitBoonratanathanakorn737874697380
Jan DragoPetelin727070547370
RuneHerregodts706973676973

An aggressive team and one which lives up to its name in terms of the Power they possess, the Kings will be hoping that their own duo can produce something special here. Mohoric is an incredible young puncheur and one to look out for now and in the future. He may also benefit from having Gidich here who should stick around until the end and is another rider to keep an eye on in the future. In Sirironnachai and Quita they have 2 solid riders who will need to focus on domestique duties here rather than showing the aggression we are accustomed to from them.

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/lpu.png Lierse SK - Pizza Ullo PCTeam

HILSTARESSPRACCFTR
LaurensDe Plus797473607268
DomenNovak777476647673
SamOomen757877646972
ManuelSenni737679667266
AlessandroFedeli737169647066
PatrickGamper667576637172
SzymonSajnok656974727162
DilmurdjonSiddikov647272656676

De Plus isn't a top favourite here and he doesn't have the kick that many others do but he's got the strength to get a good result here and, hopefully for Lierse, he'll spice this one up a bit. Novak and Oomen are strong climbers but they prefer the longer climbs. Their focus will have to shift to supporting Laurens this time around.

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/map.png Mapei

HILSTARESSPRACCFTR
EmanuelBuchmann817374657367
JernejSvab767072677868
ZigaGroselj757273727272
GasparGoncalves757170687462
Alex AriyaDestribois756869617577
MatteoFabbro757172617374
Luis EnriqueLemus Davila727570576271
DayerQuintana717372616367

In Buchmann, Mapei have one of the top 10 puncheurs but he hasn't got the kick to get a result in a reduced sprint. Attacking isn't in his nature but it's what he's going to have to do. One thing he doesn't lack is support. He has 4 very capable supporting domestiques and Destribois who may look to be a bit more aggressive.

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/mol.png MOL

HILSTARESSPRACCFTR
ZicoWaeytens807270667376
GeorgPreidler787177506973
EdwardTheuns747673777664
GaetanPons737374747665
MartonDina736968627573
George AlexandruStancu697074597170
AbelKenyeres697575526965
Pedro PabloPereyra677174506466

MOL are led by a much talked about man, but not usually for the right reasons. Zico should be capable of a strong result here but will need to be on top form. He'll have Preidler as his lieutenant and he will need the support to get the result his Manager will want.

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/mos.png Moser - Sygic

HILSTARESSPRACCFTR
PeterSagan837874737671
JosefCerny767567757974
SeanMcKenna766972657773
SebastianSchönberger767374657175
AdamToupalik757373657066
JosefHosek747474647067
MichaelBoros737369646679
JiriPolnicky727471637068

Moser are led by one of the top Puncheurs here who is also one of the top sprinters if it comes to a reduced group sprint. He's in good form too having finished 3rd in a reduced sprint in Wallonie. His Manager will be hoping that Sagan can go for a victory here and he's sent a strong supporting cast in Cerny, McKenna, Schonberger and Toupalik.

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/pum.png Team Puma - SAP

HILSTARESSPRACCFTR
ValentinMadouas757472727165
YuriyVasyliv747872626764
ColinStüssi737773636665
JohannesSchinnagel727671657167
BenZwiehoff727073617364
GeorgZimmermann717777606968
LennardKämna707472636771
NarankhuuBaterdene617170747559

This team definitely matches Generali in terms of a lack of a proper points scoring option here. They have plenty of talented young riders but unfortunately their hopes here lie only in a breakaway which may be an issue as their riders aren't the most aggressive either.

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/tti.png Team Tinkoff - La Dutcha

HILSTARESSPRACCFTR
DmitryTrakhov797874697570
JoniKanerva797569647675
SergeyChernetskiy798069637176
DmitryStrakhov767575616963
PavelSivakov717776666966
AlexanderSulimov707771657177
EvgenyShalunov697571646365
FlorianSenechal677974697467

They may not have a stand-out leader but they have 3 riders who are all capable of mixing it in and amongst the Top 10. Trakhov has the best skillset for a reduced group sprint while Kanerva and Chernetskiy are more pure puncheurs who prefer to get out onto the attack. Strakhov is the lone supporting cast.

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/xr0.png Xero Racing

HILSTARESSPRACCFTR
XandroMeurisse777474717872
HugoHoule757671797870
StanislauBazhkou757375636467
RobertStannard747273687469
BachirouNikiema737072707371
SalimKipkemboi726671637268
JamesFouche707071617170
LukeMudgway647066747665

Another team without a top leader. Meurisse is still a talented rider who will be hoping to score a few points here. They do have another option for if the race isn't selective in Hugo Houle who isn't as strong over the hills but he's a very strong sprinter.

pcmdaily.com/images/mg/2021/Micros/zpc.png Zwift Pro Cycling

HILSTARESSPRACCFTR
SimonYates817770778074
XubanErrazkin787675637369
JhonatanNarvaez767070727371
LucaWackermann747474747270
ClementRusso737273747666
CarterJones737271636673
FedericoOlei727170737362
HaroldTejada706872596865

An interesting team here. In Simon Yates, Zwift has one of the fastest men who is capable of getting over a hill. If the race isn't too aggressive and selective over the hills then Yates is a great shout for a podium, if not better. He has plenty of support here too with Errazkin (a talented young rider in his own right), Narvaez and more.


We shall see you all tomorrow for this highly anticipated race!
 
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Ollfardh
We hope for like 10 punctures so those are out of the way for the rest of the season!
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
 
DubbelDekker
This profile is not the most suited to Formolo's skills, but hope he can top 10. And let's go for some depth scoring.
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knockout
After the disappointment in Wallonie, I want to see Lopez try to fight for the win here. I dont necessarily need a victory here but i'll be furious if he once again races for a safe lower top ten finish without podium chances like he did the last time with terrible positioning in the finale. With a bit more up and down this one should suit him better though.
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters!

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SotD
We aim for a top 10 here. On a very good day a top 5 Can be achieved aswell, from Koretzky.

It will be interesting to see if the length of the race makes Aidan perform better than he have done previously, because it haven’t been good by any means…

Great in depth preview btw. Thanks for the effort!
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tastasol
Wonderful preview! Before the season, I hoped that Serrano could show himself a bit. So far it's been rather quiet. A last hope that he will shine in the upcoming classics, so hopefully he will either try something or manage to use his good kick towards the end and get a decent result.
 
Mresuperstar
Nice in-depth team style preview! I'm obviously hoping the hills aren't too decisive and we get a boring bunch sprint finish. :lol:
 
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Croatia14
We have a multiple suited helpers for any type of race and David Per as a wildcard to push things for Lutsenko here. We hope for a pure puncheurs finish on the Cauberg (?) where then hopefully ACC decides. A podium should be the goal, though I'd say Simon Yates should be the strongest opponent. Let's hope that Lutsenko can defend his title.
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Nemolito
Nice to see De Bie dominate like this for once. Also nice to see Lopez getting a better result than in the previous races. Great report again, LLS!
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Ollfardh
Really nice podium, congrats Roturn! And 12th, 17th + decisively defeating Waeytens is a great result for my team. It also gives me more hope for De Plus in the tougher hilly races. Nice report!
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
 
SotD
Crap. 14th really isn't good from Koretzky - especially looking at how it turned out towards the end with the two groups merging. But he was also at the back of the 2nd group so he must have been really struggling. He should have easily been in top 10 here.

Rochas did well to score a bit extra, where Aidan AGAIN showed absolutely nothing, even finishing behind our worst rider in the race Kopfauf.

Atleast the top 5 looks about right, but then it should have been Koretzky instead of Borges, Trakhov etc.

Anyway big congrats Roturn - Finally! Smile
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Croatia14
Good race for us. De Bie was dominant, so I have to give it to him, there was no beating him. Congrats to roturn!

2nd and an active race is good. We continue to not score any depth points in classics at all with our 2nd best being Hagen in 86th while others profit from their positions upfront isn't exactly great (damn Polanc is doing so well as a support guy this year!), but I guess that might be due to chasing duties. Anyway, as long as the leader performs this is nothing to cry for/about, so that is all fine.

Thanks for the nice report!
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redordead
Nice to see De Bie finally win Smile

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"I am a cyclist, I may not be the best, but that is what I strive to be. I may never get there, but I will never quit trying." - Tadej Pogačar
 
knockout
Much better showing by Lopez. 3rd is perfectly fine, especially as he was in a pretty good position entering the final dash to the line. Sometimes others have the better legs on the day and today De Bie and Lutsenko were simply stronger. I'm happy for Roturn, good to see him deliver after many disappointments in the past. Congrats!


Thanks for the report!

Spoiler
Thanks Nemo!

A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters!

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tastasol
Great ride by Trondsen, even managing to get well inside the top 30 after his stint in the break. Not so much by the others.

Congrats on the win, roturn. Great to see De Bie really performing at his best.
 
roturn
tastasol wrote:
Congrats on the win, roturn. Great to see De Bie really performing at his best.

Wasn`t checking between discussion and results, so got spoilered here before seeing the race report.

Good though, that De Bie finally delivers here. It must be his first ever classic win for me despite being one of the top favourites for quite some time already. In fact one of the very first few wins by him in general.

I was highly worried when he first chased Lutsenko down and then started the sprint with more than 1km to go. But luckily he had a strong day on an important stage!

Hopefully just a sign of what to expect from him in the next classics as I can really use consistent high scoring by him in the Ardennes.

Team depth was a bit below expectations, in especially Zardini as weakest rider? Puncture maybe? Barbin as only other top50 was good though.

Thanks for the report and obviously for the congrats!
 
AbhishekLFC
Well pure punchers can actually win something!! Watch and learn Kelderman...

Congrats roturn Smile About time!
 
alexkr00
No Gerts magic today, but guess 15th is still a good place.

Too bad the second group made it back there, but a top 10 place will do for Benoot. His first one for the team Grin
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OlegTinkov
Stunning preview followed by a great race report, don't forget to download the ManGameSponsorKit for next races: It will make the screenshots even better! Thanks Luis Leon Sanchez!

Top-10 with Trakhov is a really good result, hopefully we can start doing this on a regular basis.

 
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Bikex
Good one from Mohoric! Nice to see he can compete with the best here. Gidich unfortunately a little bit underwhelming but I guess that can be expected when he is not leading the team.
Thanks for another nice report, LLS and congrats roturn on an important win!
 
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