@Blueprint: It should be definitely possible, but actually Igor Antón is our best puncheur (Hill 77), but his shape isn't great for the Ardennes. Well, it's still gonna be 3 tough races, I can give you that.
“It's bollocks, this race! You're working like an animal, you don't have time to piss,
you wet your pants. You're riding in mud like this, you're slipping ... it’s a pile of shit.”
- Theo de Rooij
It’s up. It’s arguably the single most prestigious and most-famous one-day race in the world of cycling. The Queen of Classics is as much of a press-event as a showcase for young talent but most of all, it's a true battlefield for the world best northern classic specialists. It derived its nickname “Hell of the North” from the battlefield of World War 1, but don’t let this fool you: This race is not for the faint of heart.
Have no delusions: Whilst many rider have chances to snatch a breakaway win at E3 Prijs or Gent – Wevelgem, the heavy-weights will make sure that they can fight for the win among themselves. Any breakaway riders crumble here sooner or later, and regarding them as an obstacle isn’t even valid. Still, there have been lucky escapes in the past, such as in 1988, and there’s always room for one more.
"Paris–Roubaix is bullshit"
- Bernhard Hinault
Paris – Roubaix was first introduced in 1896 and has been ever since one of the oldest and toughest cycling races in history. The finish has remained in Roubaix, but since 1968 it starts in Compiègne. Because of his long existence, Paris – Roubaix can look back on a rich culture. The cobbles have become mystic treasures of the region and the Vélodrome appears as a long-searched safe haven for all these tired souls. Riders have complained about the difficulty of the course and organizations such as the “Les Amis de Paris – Roubaix” try to maintain the cobble sections difficulty, while also making it friendlier towards the riders. Certainly, the long cobbles are the most hostile factor in this otherwise rather flat race. Different to Ronde van Vlaanderen with its painful hills, a rider has to feature foremost two traits: A flawless ability to crush the flat and indecency & courage on the dirt roads and dangerous rocks. Oh, and he should have luck to avoid any punctures, crashes or other unfortunante incidents that can ruin his dream of winning Paris – Roubaix.
Especially under bad weather conditions, this race can truly become a hell of its own kind. Paris – Roubaix remains as a race for only the toughest of northern race specialists. Many riders avoided this race in the past, such as in 2004 where apparently no Top 20 UCI rider was even featured in the race. This race can be an enormous victory for one – and it can also ruin your entire career… In 1998, for example, Johan Museeuw crashed so badly he would have nearly lost his left leg. He later went on to win Paris – Roubaix two more times.
Riders obtain a mounted cobble stone of the race, “easily the most prized piece of rock in cycling“, if they win Paris – Roubaix. Record winners are Roger de Vlaeminck and Tom Boonen, each one winning the race 4 times. Tom Boonen has already won Mailand – San Remo and Ronde van Vlaanderen this season and due to his recent form and his perfect cobble-skills, he is certainly the man to beat today once more. His toughest contender will be Fabian Cancellara (RTL). The race won’t be decided between those two riders but looking at their abilities, one could imagine that any other riders will be primarily racing against these two.
“Sure, it's the most beautiful race in the world!” - Theo de Rooij, asked if he’d race it again.
It`s a sunny day with a few clouds in Compiègne, but weather conditions can change faster than anywhere else in this region… 200 brave souls set out to tackle the road to Roubaix. The Euskaltel line-up is similiar to the other WT cobble races. J.J. Lobato and Aberasturi are new additions. Gorka Izagirre rides as well for his brother. Tamouridis, Urtasun and Kocjan have proven that they can be of real help to Ion Izagirre, who will be our leader.
After strong showing in the cobble classics so far, Ion Izagirre is right at the front of the starting peloton. What will he try today?
Euskaltel – Euskadi launch numerous attempts for an early breakaway but none brought any results yet. It’s still very early in the race and the pace is high by Radioshack and Omega Pharma. Neither of these two teams wants to grant a possible breakaway too many men, so things might be looking good for Gorka Izagirre, Rosseler and Bol up there, further down the road, spotted behind the yellow car, to make it, since they are only 3 so far.
Some more riders join the break such as Ferrari (LAM) and Weening (OGE). Since Serry, from Omega Pharma, is featured in the break, Omega Pharma probably aren’t inclined to not chase the group so much and rather save their energy a bit.
Soon the first cobblesecion is up, and the group works good together. 6 minutes lead is nice enough. The fog in these woods surely causes for some fairytale, ghostly atmosphere as the group tackles the lone road ahead.
Is this some kind of joke? It surely must be. Almost right before the guys head into the first cobble section of the day, Troisvilles to Inchy, it starts to rain.
It’s dark, it’s raining… Paris – Roubaix as we know it. Meanwhile, the first riders are already dropped.
From one cobble to the next, there’s often not much time to recollect. And shown in this picture, even the normal roads often cause a long stretched peloton.
Gorka Izagirre and Rosseler appear to be the strongest riders today in the break, especially on the cobbles, since they usually press the most forward on these painful sections. Meanwhile, the peloton has recuded itself to only 71 riders. 4 riders of Euskaltel are still in it.
Langeveld had a crash earlier on, while Pozzato and Nuyens just positioned themselves in a bad damn manner. Both riders want to catch up to the peloton. Thanks to the peloton, the time gap isn’t so big as it appears to be, but they will have to hurry if they want to get back in there. At least, the end of the peloton is in sight.
Langeveld & Co. are back in the peloton, while Irizar and Roulston, both Radioshack, must have ridden the cobbles too fast. It appears as if they want to catch up to the break away. This leaves now Europcar in a position of chasing, for Gaudin, since Omega Pharma have a man upfront too.
As the peloton heads out of Vertain to Saint-Martin-sur-Écaillon the peloton splits upfront. Izagirre and Urtasun are in the group. Alos Roelandts, Chavanel, Stybar. Will this be just one of these occasional splits or will it alter the race quite drastically? It certainly appears like Roelandts and Greipel want to take their chance of the one-minute lead already as they start to pace.
Wow, that was fast. Urtasun couldn’t even keep the pace and Izagirre had to struggle too. Phinney (BMC), Greipe & Roelandts (LTB), Petit (COF) and Leukemans (VCD) all pace very hard and it pays off as they have already nearly 3 minutes lead. Since they are all superior cobble stone riders compared to Izagirre, it’s for him best to just bid his time and try to hang on. That’s already tough enough as it is.
Urtasun rides quite calmly as soon as he realizes that there’s no chance to keep up with the Roelandts group. Breschel (TST) who attacked from the peloton, passes him in a matter of seconds. Mondory (ALM) further ahead did it in a similar fashion. Meanwhile, the two breakaways up ahead are now together.
All these superb cobble riders do some serious damage to the group as the former breakaway leaders struggle to hang on. Gorka Izagirre tried to protect his brother a bit but alas, it`s probably for now more important he manages to stay in this group. Mondory and Breschel are close to joining the Roelandts group. At least, it stopped raining – for now.
Ion Izagirre really has to watch out for these other riders like Rosseler, who left a gap there but Izagirre quickly managed to close it. But everything stays fine and Mondory and Breschel finally catch up to the group.
About 90 kilometers left to go. The peloton started to seriously increase the pace now as Omega Pharma, with the likes of Chavanel, hunt down the break. Ion’s brother Gorka Izagirre lost too much ground to the break and now they quickly lose time on race leaders. During this cobble section, Rosseler, Roulston & Co. fall behind, and the breakaway is further reduced to 8 riders. Wasn’t there something with 8 being a magic number for breakaways?
No magic works for Ion Izagirre. The man with the hammer comes around, walking throuch the fields, knocking on these old doors… From Beuvry-la-Forêt – Orchies he loses the group and all hope for a victory today, but wins the realization that he needs – and wants – to improve on the cobbles for future seasons to come.
Omega Pharma take no prisoners. A huge split up on the peloton, leaves Boonen, Cancellara, Ladagnous and Gaudin as the possible main favourites for today. Riders such as Flecha, Van Avermaet, Vanmarcke and Langeveld missed this - maybe decisive – split.
The group recollects Izagirre. He tried to save some energy and now wants to hang on for as long as possible. There are easier tasks in the world… And not surprisingly, he can’t even hold up for this cobble section, as he gets dropped with many other fine riders such as Tosatto.
Euskaltel – Euskadi won’t matter today. Petit (COF) does though, and so does the entire Roelandts group. They have still over a minute lead to Boonen and Cancellara. Meanwhile, in their group, Boonen, Cancellara and Turgot get rid of the others as Gallopin leaves a vital gap, Gaudin and Ladagnous don’t manage to close in time and see Boonen & Cancellara riding away. Boonen is now in this group with 2 more helpers (Terprstra, Vandenbergh – Chavanel can’t quite hold on)!
Just as fast as Breschel passed Urtasun earlier that day, Boonen & friends pass the Danish rider... and shortly after, they catch Roelandts’ group. The Omega Pharma train just stomps them to the side.
Vanmarcke, Ladganous & Co. have not given up on the dream of winning Paris – Roubaix just yet. They work together to catch up to the Tornado Tom & Spartacus group.
Nuyens and Flecha both crash and lose any hope for the win today.
The team work paid off for the pursuers . They reunite with the Boonen group and now have surely a chance to win. I suppose all former allegiances have no worth now and are nullified, as Paris – Roubaix goes into the last 30 kilometers.
Vanmarcke trying to hold on… From 16 riders, that were featured in the previous image, only 7 remained. The usual suspects of Omega Pharma riders and Cancellara, plus Gaudin, Ladagnous and Langeveld.
Omega Pharma want to take advantage of their numbers superiority. Terpstra attacks, seen in the dutch national champion jersey – all dirty, and begins the tactical plays. Langeveld can`t hold on any more, Ladagnous and Gaudin want to follow Terpstra’s attack. Boonen and Vandenbergh look out for Cancellara.
Cancellara and Boonen are on their own now. Ladagnous and Gaudin are upfront, but the more important question is: How far is Terpstra ahead of them?
Terpstra has to fight for every meter… and there 11.000 thousand meters left…
Cancellara has dropped Boonen, but wait – where is the Belgian rider? He is even behind Langeveld and Vandenbergh (OPQ). He is in a group with Kristoff and Turgot. What, the…? How did he got drop? I decide to watch later a replay… and he turns out he had a puncture!
Ohohohoh… poor Boonen. Still, this happens to a lot of riders in the peloton and there’s no reason why bad luck should make it for the favourites any easier than for normal, mere mortal riders.
Terpstra looking good. Looking damn fine might good. All the rain, all the suffer… 8 kilometers left…
Terpstra heads down to Velodrome. Allée Charles Crupelandt remains as the last obstacle for him.
… but he tackles it, while Ladagnous attacks behind him to get rid off of Gaudin.
Gaudin is the third rider to head into the Velodrome.
And Cancellara is close behind him.
Niki Terpstra takes Paris – Roubaix ahead of Ladagnous (FDJ) and Gaudin (EUC). The dutch national champion reaches his biggest victory of his career in the rain of Roubaix. The crowds of the Velodrome cheer and applaud. There’s nothing left, rien ne va plus… Terpstra is on top. Relieved, he will realize in the days yet to come, that one of his biggest dreams as a professional cyclist have been fulfilled.
He stands their like some fallen soldier. Still standing but not able to make any moves. He just rides on his bike. The only thing he really knows, it's an automatism by now. The whole Velodrome applauds him as he takes an extra-lap. Later at the podium, he has recollected his spirit. It didn't quite sink in yet but that prestigious rock they hand to him will remind him of what he has accomplished today.
Cancellara gets a 4th spot, but he definitely wanted more and you can that even from his mud-suffered face. Boonen states later on, “that he is happy for Terpstra”, and when asked about his puncture, he answers, that this is Paris-Roubaix. He will come next year again to hunt for that 5th title of his. One can only congratulate Omega Pharma, their tactics were perfect and they have definitely shown that they are the greatest cobble-squad right now, after defeats at E3 Prijs and Gent – Wevelgem. If they can ever catch up to the greatest cobble-squad of all time, Mapei of the Nineties, well, only time will tell. The cobbles are behind us, and the Ardennes are already knocking on our doors.
Only 54 riders finished the race. Paris - Roubaix has revealed today its grim, horrific face. Enough for any nightmare.
Paris - Roubaix, 2013
Rank
Name
Team
Time
1
Niki Terpstra
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
7h36'13
2
Matthieu Ladagnous
FDJ
s.t.
3
Damien Gaudin
Team Europcar
s.t.
4
Fabian Cancellara
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 53
5
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1'41
6
Sebastian Langeveld
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
7
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 3'54
8
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
s.t.
9
Alexander Kristoff
Katusha Team
s.t.
10
Jürgen Roelandts
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
11
Sep Vanmarcke
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
12
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
13
Geraint Thomas
Sky Procycling
s.t.
14
Luca Paolini
Katusha Team
s.t.
15
Lars Boom
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
16
Nick Nuyens
Garmin - Sharp
+ 5'16
17
Juan Antonio Flecha
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
18
Taylor Phinney
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
19
Björn Leukemans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 6'51
20
Adrien Petit
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
21
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
+ 9'23
22
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
+ 12'03
23
Matti Breschel
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 13'20
24
John Degenkolb
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 14'16
25
Matteo Tosatto
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
Spoiler
26
Borut Božic
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
27
Tony Gallopin
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
28
Dimitriy Muravyev
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
29
Lars Ytting Bak
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
30
Johan Le Bon
FDJ
s.t.
31
Zdenek Stybar
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
32
Sylvain Chavanel
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
33
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
34
Lloyd Mondory
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
35
Bernhard Eisel
Sky Procycling
+ 15'44
36
Jens Keukeleire
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
37
David Boucher
FDJ
+ 17'59
38
Heinrich Haussler
IAM Cycling
+ 19'57
39
Davy Commeyne
Accent Jobs - Wanty
s.t.
40
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky Procycling
+ 22'16
41
Egoitz García
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
42
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
+ 22'57
43
Anthony Ravard
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
44
Sébastien Hinault
IAM Cycling
s.t.
45
Xavier Florencio
Katusha Team
s.t.
46
Michael Mørkøv
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
47
Gaël Malacarne
Bretagne - Séché Environnement
s.t.
48
Jean-Lou Paiani
Sojasun
s.t.
49
Yauheni Hutarovich
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
50
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
51
Andriy Grivko
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
52
Maciej Bodnar
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
53
Björn Thurau
Team Europcar
s.t.
54
Mirko Selvaggi
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
Meanwhile, Euskaltel – Euskadi suffer an utter defeat. Of course, we had not many expectations but Paris – Roubaix has shown us how far away we are from even imaging of competing in such a race. The whole team is down for today, but they will get back up. Not a single rider reached the finish line. None. No one of ours. Not even Ion Izagirre. He was completely empty and had only a few kilometers left to go, he even reached the Velodrome, but he just couldn’t... and time was catching up to him. He just couldn’t finish. He was broken, frozen, empty of energy and stuffed with pain. The pain, he told me later, just was too much. There was no way he could ride anymore. Done and even more done… they tell you, that pain is temporary but quitting lasts forever, but neither does a stay in hell deem rarely worthy of redemption.
@The Rider: Thanks. It was indeed quite a nice race to watch even without much Euskadi-action going on.
I was actually quite surprised that Terpstra pulled it off. He always turned into one of the strongest cobblers, and even the top favourite, when Cancellara and Booen resigned in my former careers but never managed to pull a significant victory at either of the 4 WT cobble races. It's nice that he managed it this time around I guess.
@sutty: Yes, it will be a lesson and one that surely came the hard way. After surprisingly good performances at the other 3 WT cobbles, Paris - Roubaix just was too though for the guys and brought us back to the bottom of the harsh reality. I am sure the team will take steps towards a better cobble squad in the next years, seeing as Ion has revealed himself to be a promise for the distant future.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
@sutty: Of course. Always looking ahead, never look behind. It will take years but the goal stands as it is: I want to win one of the 4 WT races with a basque rider at some point.
@Atlantius: Thanks mate. They certainly surprised this season. We will see if it will remain the best season, in terms of cobble results, at the end of the story though (look at me, talking about future seasons and havn't even finished the first yet... ). It was a first step towards the right direction, Paris - Roubaix excluded. I suppose Paris - Roubaix could show what a long way lies ahead of them though.
@Ian Butler: Yeah, I really liked the quotes. Had to put them in there. Edited by Shonak on 10-12-2013 17:04
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Really like the report, and especially the preview.
And Boonen doing the same as in my Guinness career: doing really, really well in every cobbled race on the calendar, and then puncturing at P-R.
that was a really tough day for the squad, shame Ion couldn't quite reach the finish in time, on the bright side Egoitz García of Cofidis who finished 41st is Basque so it looks like there is already scope to improve things for the side for next year (unless he just got lucky).
@Selwink: Terprstra definitely deserves a banana for winning.
@Dippofix: Yeah, I like to give these previews ahead of big races. Glad you enjoy them.
I think Boonen is the top rider with the most punctures in all my careers combined. The amount of bad luck this guy has is quite impressive.
@sammyt93: Thanks a lot mate. I didn't know that García is basque, but I will check him out. You are hereby hired as a scout for Euskaltel - Euskadi if you want to.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
I only know because I looked him up and that was only because Egoitz has a slightly basque ring to it.
there's also Koldo Fernandez from Garmin and Iker Camano from NetApp, not sure if the latter of those 2 is up to WT level though.
apart from that there's Intxausti, Castroviejo, Txurruka, Irizar, Velasco and Zubeldia, but I'm guessing you already knew most if not all of them as they've only left Euskaltel within the last few years.
oh and I almost forgot, Pierre Cazaux is from the french basque country, he might be a free agent.
@sammty93: Thansk mate. I see the decision to hire you as Euskaltel scout already pays off. I knew most of them, although Irizar and Velasco are new names for me. I'll take a look at them. Hiring Intxsausti or Castroviejo would be obviously massive for the squad. I would also like to see Txurruka back at Euskaltel for the basque public.
@Blueprint: That's true, but that would rob the game of the fun of discovering riders. Edited by Shonak on 11-12-2013 12:32
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
I just meant checking out the main database (so not your career cdb file to avoid peaking into max stats) and sorting riders by region in the editor. Obviously, doing it for scouting purposes would be lame, but I do believe that realistically Euskaltel team managers know which active pro riders are from Basque origin.
I have just read the whole story and i have to say it's absolutely amazing . The team was attacking in almost every single stage and rode really aggressively . The season so far is obviously highlighted by the great home win in pais vasco by Sanchez . But the best thing for me are the absolutely stunning reports, they are really nice to read, but must have taken ages to write
Euskaltel was my favourite team in real life and i think it's really sad they need to fold .
Edited by Vali on 11-12-2013 15:26
@Vali: Thanks a lot mate. Glad you like them. I try to keep this style of playing, since I think it really reflects Euskaltel's philosophy well. Actually, writing about the race isn't so time consuming as one could imagine, it's rather quick (luckily). The real time consuming part is to get everything ordered and prepared to post online.
____________________
A Week In The Ardennes
After the adventures on the cobbles and the spanish stage races, the team sets out for the Ardennes races. Amstel Gold Race, La Flèche Wallone and Liege - Bastogne – Liege are waiting for us – and honestly, I waited a bit for them too.
While the team also send some riders to other races (Astarloza got a nice 11th rank overall at the Vuelta a Castilla y Leon), our main efforts will be focused on these upcoming events.
Many climbs await the riders today at the Amstel Gold Race, around the city of Maastricht. While in the past, the race has featured triumphs of sprinters due to the finish in Maastricht, the Cauberg in Valkenburg has recently changed this – and the finish is now to be considered one of the toughest ramps in the world of cycling. It’s arguably the most important one-day race in the Netherlands. Especially dutch riders will try want to try something. Their chances aren’t too well against the other nations. Race favourites include Philippe Gilbert (BMC), Peter Sagan (CAN), Daniel Martin (GRS), Movistar-duo Valverde and Rui Costa, Simon Gerrans (OGE), Rodriguez (KAT) and Roman Kreuziger (TST). Betancur (ALM) is injured until the End of April. Last year’s winner Enrico Gasparotto (AST) is not featured in the race. Euskaltel – Euskadi will feature for the first time this season two captains, with Samuel Sánchez hoping to further show his stellar April form and Igor Antón, who slowly build up his shape for the Ardennes classics by riding smaller races, but isn’t in top shape unfortunately. Our squad further features: Pablo Urtasun, Ion & Gorka Izagirre, Astarloza, Romain Sicard and Mikel Landa.
After 60 kilometers a breakaway finally established itself with a secure gap to the peloton. Riders include Rolland, Pozzatto, Maaskant (GRS), Salerno (CAN), Lutsenko, Wellens (LTB), Beppu (OGE), Bonnafond (ALM) and Gorka Izagirre. The basque is once more quite active in the early parts of a classic, and he’s showing quite the right nose for the right breakaway. Many other attempts by Euskaltel – Euskadi have failed before.
The race goes on the usual routine. The breakaway builds up a gap, some teams sent their helpers upfront (SKY, Belkin) to not let them get too far. It’s a beautiful day today in the Netherlands, and right now, it features more resemblance to a field-trip of a school class than a professional road race.
Gorka stretching his back a bit. Or maybe he wants to show off his free-hand riding skills. Actually, when I come to think about it, he looks more like a general, who takes a look over his troops and decides what to next, while staying unimpressed on his horse… or bike.
70 kilometers to go: The peloton picks up the pace. And as they head into Valkenburg, for the second, but certainly not the last time, the sun still smiles upon them.
40 kilometers. Well, surely as good a time as any to start attacking, think Leukemans and Ion Izagirre. The break has only 2 minutes left, maybe a reunion with his brother Gorka might boost both their spirits. But unfortunately they get will soon caught again in the downhill. “This is the tricky part of this race”, Katu says. “You can win this race in an escape attempt ahead of Valkenburg, but you have to try it again and again and again. You can be lucky and succeed one of these times, but you can also just power yourself out…” Yeah, well – I think no shit Sherlock, after all that’s what taking risks is all about. Winning or Losing. There’s not much between that. At least, Ion’s morale seems to be intact again after Paris – Roubaix.
Leukemans attacked once again and this time the attack was strong enough to get a serious gap on the peloton. He will soon catch up to the breakaway.
Gorka Izagirre isn’t to happy with the company that Leukemans brings to the party: The peloton is close to catching up to them and he immediately takes his chances on this hill, followed by Wellens and Lutsenko, to maybe save a bit of time.
He is succeesfull but no one else is able to follow him. Well, that’s good enough for us and I consider going into this church to get a quick prayer for Gorka on the way. Meanwhile, an attack by Gerrans in the downhill, causes Garmin-Sharp and Movistar to put up the pace even higher.
Yes, even here the basque cheer and the ikurrina is proudly shown. The basque riders like it as they try to maintain their position and make out who attacks where. Gallopin and Kelderman seem to be the most aggressive as they take quite a few meters on the peloton. Moreno is soon to be followed on their wheel. And then Sagan, and Gilbert, and Porte… a real queue develops as each one of the favourites stay on the wheel of their former rider. Sánchez interprets the situation right and knows that this attempt, this time around, won’t be successful anymore. Too many riders, so the peloton can rather easily keep contact.
Well, but the downhill offers a different opportunity all together. Kelderman attacks and Leukemans is the only one quick enough to react. Porte and Gilbert see a chance too and try their luck.
Then eventually, Izagirre is caught by Leukemans, as he gets caught by the peloton and everything is back to start… Well, not so much, since it’s only 20 kilometers left on the clock but I suppose you get the sentiment.
Daniel Martin attacks on the second last hill and no counter is strong enough to follow. Damn it, I think, as I notice that Sánchez got caught up in the peloton by his own teammates. But it’s cool. Gilbert couldn’t follow Martin’s backwheel and is now the first one chasing Daniel Martin. The peloton is still huge, but Igor Antón meanwhile is far back somewhere. His form isn’t just ready yet. In the windy flat road to Valkenburg, the group of favourites finally sets itself apart from the peloton. Through the echelon split, riders like Antón, Rodriguez and Mollema have no chance of winning today’s Amstel Gold Race. Still, there are 31 riders ahead, plus Daniel Martin, so things should get quite intense.
How many meters are between them? Hundred? Will it be enough? It’s only a few seconds on the clock. Now having the power and the positioning will decide over triumph and defeat.
Simon Gerrans is the first to attack now, followed by Valverde and Rui Costa.
Gerrans and Rui Costa were strong enough to bypass Daniel Martin, who now seeks to bring the peloton closer to the finish line. Right now, every rider is on his own as they struggle up
Sánchez starts losing ground. It’s certainly not a route perfectly suited to him. It might be if the finish was after 10 kilometer downhill adventure, but right now, looking at all these riders fighting and dominating, it turns out: its pretty hard to keep up. Right then, he feels how the Gel slowly kicks in. Hope it helps.
Valverde takes the stage win! Peter Sagan and Simon Gerrans are the first runner-ups. The Spanish Pro Cycling Team have played their cards just right and took advantage of their many top riders in this race. Samuel Sánchez gets merely a 12th rank, but this is still a decent enough result for us, I suppose. There’s not much talk at the winner ceremony, and the team steps mostly silent into the team bus and drives to the hotel… There are still two races up left and no one wants to lose his focus now…
). It was a first step towards the right direction, Paris - Roubaix excluded. I suppose Paris - Roubaix could show what a long way lies ahead of them though. 
