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Amstel Gold Race discussion thread
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| Smowz |
Posted on 16-04-2013 18:58
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The biggest Dutch race of the year, our Ardennes opener is a really tough hilly test. The climbs a somewhat shorter than those in next weeks headline hillfest and none are quite as steep as Fleche’s Mur De Huy, but the length of the course and the frequency of hills is higher.
The final six hills are particularly tough and will likely make the selections in today's race.
The Gulpenerberg, Kruieberg, Eyserbosweg and Fromberg are climbed in quick succession. There is a brief respite before the nasty wall of the Keutenberg which is likely to leave a select group of riders in the mix.
The final climb of the Cauberg is as usual the headline billing, but in a change from previous year we finish 1500m after the famous climb which will give as a slightly different tactical dimension.
There are various tactics that you can employ to win this, the early quadruple of climbs should make a selection and indeed it is possible to make a move stick here. The Keutenberg is a great postition to make a winning move, but will the moving of the finish leave the final moment for the Cauberg.
Edvald Boassen Hagen has a good record here having won in 2011 (winning by attacking early on the Keutenberg) and was second in 2010, arguably causing the big early selection there. He came 5th from an appalling start position in a 22 man sprint up the Cauberg last year and must have learned from that ride.
Jan Bakelants has hardly set the world alight this year, but has taken stages in Tirreno and Basque and should not be discounted yet. He couldn't quite match an inspired Gilbert last year, but it was 2011's Amstal Gold that was his coming out party in finishing second again.
It's been frustration at Amstel for Doyenne king pin Franck Schleck who six successive top tens here, but has only once cracked the top five when he won and dominated a small group sprint in 2010. Much like Hagen, Schleck was in an appalling position at the start of the Cauberg last year and was outmanoeuvred in 2011. He'll be hoping to banish some of the so-so memories here.
Last year's slight surprise winner Phillipe Gilbert, has not been having a particularly startling 2013. This race is probably best suited to his characteristics, but he does need to be at his very best as he was last year. Pendletons seem to be suffering second season syndrome with much of their lustre worn off in 2013.
Robert Gesink comes home off the back of a dominant Basque run, but he'll be the first to admit that he is just behind the top punchaers in the battle for the classics. He’ll still be hoping to improve on his best finish of 8th and is surely the best home hope who hard the long retired Boogard to thank for the most recent Dutch win in 2008.
Yuriy Trofimov has also shown some great early 2013 form, particularly in Paris Nice where admittedly he has much less competition then the simultaneous Tirreno Adriatico. He was still looking dangerous in the Basque Country though and has been thereabouts in the last two years with finishes of 4th in 2011 and 3rd in 2012.
Some of the big stage race hilly men such as Spilak, Ricco and Cunego have given this one a miss which opens it up even more for other specialists to step up. Stefan Schumacher, Simone Ponzi, Tejay Van Garderen, Cesere Di Maggio, Dimitri Claeys, Pipo Pozzato and even luckless Festina's Diego Ulissi all have solid 'each way' chances.
Our wildcards are the in form Rothaus squad with Brit Jonny Bellis and Dutch World champion Lars Boom here as crowd pleasers.
Edited by SportingNonsense on 16-04-2013 21:50
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| roturn |
Posted on 16-04-2013 19:27
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I think I sent a strong squad here as Bellis/Boom/Geschke should be able to perform well here. Still I think it will be hard to get a top result.
But it`s nice to see what I can do against the PT Teams.
Trofimov and Schleck are the favourites for me though. |
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| cio93 |
Posted on 16-04-2013 19:36
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Thank you Santander for preventing us being dead last in the startlist 
The hills are the least favourite terrain for Puma by far, and any breakaway appearance and result amongst the best 50 in the Ardennes has to be called a success.
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 16-04-2013 19:38
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Santander, no mountain's, no fun. My bet here is Bakelants. Decent punch on the hill to finish fast in the flat finish. |
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| SotD |
Posted on 16-04-2013 21:29
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Gesink or Schleck will take this.
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 16-04-2013 21:39
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Amstel has not been the happiest of hunting grounds for Schleck (Asides from his one victory  ), he has been 6th twice, 7th twice, and 9th. So not expecting big things, but can hope for them!
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 08-12-2025 01:59
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| Bushwackers |
Posted on 16-04-2013 22:11
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Alright Schumacher, time for you to bring us back up.
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| ember |
Posted on 16-04-2013 22:18
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Great preview!
If Boasson Hagen is going to win a classic this season, it has to be Amstel. It's a win goal as well, and I can only cross fingers. Hopfully he'll be well positioned in the critical moments and use his energy at the right times.
Must admit I'm kind of nervous before this race, in a "man-game point of view"
I do believe Bakelants will be the man to beat, he looked really strong on both stage wins earlier this season, but positioning will be the key.
Must admit I usually enjoy when there's a surprising winner. Though, for this race and the coming classics, I do hope we'll get a battle between the very best puncheurs.
Looking very much forward for the report 
Edited by ember on 16-04-2013 22:19
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| Rin |
Posted on 16-04-2013 22:20
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The big test for Claeys to show what he can do with a very (surprisingly) strong field and as the No1 rider for us.
I hope for an exciting race, as the previous PT hilly stages for example were dull Gilbertish ones.
Waiting until the last (and propably the best) opportunity to attack and get first over the line but with just seconds apart the big group or finishing with a big group sprint.
 Team Bianchi - 2012 Man-Game ProContinental Tour Champions
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 16-04-2013 22:26
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Rin wrote:
The big test for Claeys to show what he can do with a very (surprisingly) strong field and as the No1 rider for us.
You're surprised this has a strong field?
There's no such thing as a PT hilly classic with a weak field, especially when it's one of the 'Ardennes Classics'.
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| Levi4life |
Posted on 16-04-2013 22:31
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I'm not convinced Pozzato has it in him. I predict he will be struggling for a top 20.
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| Rin |
Posted on 16-04-2013 22:35
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Meant it with (having it in mind) comparing this race to the other following classics (which are harder) and race day allocation.
Well first time in PT plus having the plan/mind based/set on Cunego with his few race days. 
Team Bianchi - 2012 Man-Game ProContinental Tour Champions
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| rjc_43 |
Posted on 16-04-2013 23:05
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I am not holding my breath as to the gameplay quality for this, but either way, 3 in the top 20 is kind of my expectation. Hopefully Ponzi in the top 10 too. No pressure or anything though... |
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 16-04-2013 23:39
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NOOOO!!! My lustre!!! It's wearing away!!! Bring it back Phillipe!!! Bring it back!!! |
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| Kami |
Posted on 17-04-2013 00:15
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Not expecting much from this. 2 more races for Ricco time though. Let's hope he can get my team up in the rankings.
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| CountArach |
Posted on 17-04-2013 01:43
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Santander slipping a long way back now.
I'll be cheering for Gesink and I hope that Vanendert can support him well. Really though EBH looks to be the man to beat.
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 17-04-2013 06:14
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Looking forward to race report, should be a great race, with small group in the end. I favour one of Hagen,Bakelants,Trofimov trio for the win.
But watch out for some long range attack from Kreuziger!
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 17-04-2013 10:49
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Looks like Gesink has plenty of fans this year
Also, I haven't noticed this before but there's an error in the DB. The team is called 1t4i, not 14ti. 14ti would just be nonsense
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 17-04-2013 12:04
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I have correct name (project 1t4i) in the database Alex.
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 17-04-2013 12:16
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I meant the shortened name. Look at the startlist picture.
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