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2014 Amstel Gold Race
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| Malkael |
Posted on 18-04-2014 06:12
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Sprinter
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 1.UWT - Amstel Gold Race (251.4KM)
(Click to Enlarge)
With the Cobbled classics firmly behind them, now it is the Puncheur's time to shine with the first of the three Ardennes classics. After being robbed of glory by Roman Kreuziger's surprise breakaway victory last year, surely the favourites will not let it happen twice?
Thirty-four climbs await the peloton, with the Cauberg climbed no less than four times during the race, giving our hopefuls ample time to prepare for a tense finale. The 1500 metre long climb, averaging 5% in gradient, has seen some of the finest cyclists come unstuck under pressure due to ill positioning or poor form.
(Click to Enlarge)
However, with 1800 metres separating the summit of the Cauberg and the finishing line any attacks over the Cauberg shall have to be fully committed. Any sign of indecision or an unwillingness to work after summit could easily see the peloton winch in any escapees. Otherwise the 2014 Amstel Gold Race could be decided by a bunch sprint, should an escapee prove unable to repeat 2013's heroics.
Similar to cup competitions in football, the one day classics care little for consistency, only who is the strongest or smartest on the day. However, form does give us an insight in to just who should be considered a favourite for the spoils. With Alejandro Valverde arguably sitting pretty at the peak of that list thanks to his strong performances throughout the seasons so far.
Two cyclists who could be unknown quantities going in to Amstel Gold Race are Simon Gerrans and Phillipe Gilbert. The Australian can be particularly dangerous when he sets out achieve a goal, however, his preparations for the race may have been adversely affected by earlier illness and misfortune. Orica – GreenEDGE fortunately have a two cards to play should one of them fail, with Michael Matthews poised in the background ready to strike.
Meanwhile, Gilbert has been struggling to recover his world conquering form of 2011, however, he knows the parcours well and is coming off a victory, ahead of Michael Matthews, at De Brabantse Pijl. The victory could have come just at the right time for Gilbert, with his victory in the road race at the 2012 UCI Road World Championships coming shortly after a much needed victory in the 2012 Vuelta a Espana on Stage 19.
There are a number of outsiders who could steal the thunder of the favourites; with Damiano Cunego, Joaquim Rodriguez and Daniel Moreno, and Tom-Jelte Slagter leading the charge. With Ben Swift one to possibly watch out for should the race end with in a bunch sprint, after his form in the Vuelta al Pais Vasco. Who could discount Roman Kreuziger from somehow defending his crown given the form he has been showing alongside Alberto Contador.
Paris - Roubaix? You can bet that's a cobblin'. The Ardennes classics? That's a paddlin' round in circles without getting anywhere should you lose momentum on a steep gradient.
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 18-04-2014 06:48
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World Champion
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I would call Kwiatek, despite hoping for some miracle defending performance from Kreuziger. 
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| dark_x2012 |
Posted on 18-04-2014 07:52
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Breakaway Specialist
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Valverde or Purito!!! However really hope Kreuziger will shine again.  |
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| CountArach |
Posted on 18-04-2014 08:05
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Grand Tour Champion
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dark_x2012 wrote:
Valverde or Purito!!! However really hope Kreuziger will shine again.
I don't know if the new course really suits Purito - he would have to get away on the Cauberg and be able to hold that on the short flat afterwards.
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| kubys |
Posted on 18-04-2014 08:21
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Domestique
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Kwiatek and Valverde are TOP favourites for me. Behind them Purito, Kreuziger, Slagter...but I doubt that Betancur managed to cure, which is shame.
Die hard fan of Tom Boonen and Quickstep since 2004.
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| Kirchen_75 |
Posted on 18-04-2014 10:20
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Grand Tour Champion
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I think it's gonna be a selection of 4-5 riders after Gilbert attacks on Cauberg. With Kwiatek and Valverde in it and then Kwiatek wins from the sprint |
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 18-04-2014 10:33
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Valvere has been really good this year. Isn't Betancur riding?
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| Smoku |
Posted on 18-04-2014 10:33
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Kirchen_75 wrote:
I think it's gonna be a selection of 4-5 riders after Gilbert attacks on Cauberg. With Kwiatek and Valverde in it and then Kwiatek wins from the sprint That's exactly what OPQS hopes for. Good chance they are not getting it.
Edited by Smoku on 18-04-2014 10:33
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| Shonak |
Posted on 18-04-2014 10:36
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Ah finally Ardennes classics.
Hoping for the trend to continue and that maybe a group effort at around km 40-20 from the finish line is successful. So I'm hoping for a strong group to set itself apart and that decides the race. Since I like most of the guys, I think of a group containing Gilbert/GVA, Valverde, Purtio, Kwiatkowski and Kreuziger, and one of them can gladly take the win. A simple bunch sprint up Cauberg: please no. An exciting last hour of racing: Yes, please.
Edited by Shonak on 18-04-2014 12:03
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 18-04-2014 10:37
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Tour de France Champion
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I must admit that I find the Ardennes classics less exciting than the cobbled classics.
Hope that the coming races prove me wrong, though  |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 25-11-2024 08:00
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| Kirchen_75 |
Posted on 18-04-2014 11:47
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Smoku wrote:
Kirchen_75 wrote:
I think it's gonna be a selection of 4-5 riders after Gilbert attacks on Cauberg. With Kwiatek and Valverde in it and then Kwiatek wins from the sprint That's exactly what OPQS hopes for. Good chance they are not getting it.
There will be attacks on the Cauberg. I'll be staggered if no one attacks. It's just a matter of if others can follow or not.
Edited by Kirchen_75 on 18-04-2014 11:48
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| kubys |
Posted on 18-04-2014 11:49
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Domestique
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Ollfardh wrote:
Valvere has been really good this year. Isn't Betancur riding?
He is on startlist, but his disease affected him too much imo. Not sure if he'll be real threat next week.
Die hard fan of Tom Boonen and Quickstep since 2004.
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| kubys |
Posted on 18-04-2014 11:50
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Domestique
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Kirchen_75 wrote:
Smoku wrote:
Kirchen_75 wrote:
I think it's gonna be a selection of 4-5 riders after Gilbert attacks on Cauberg. With Kwiatek and Valverde in it and then Kwiatek wins from the sprint That's exactly what OPQS hopes for. Good chance they are not getting it.
There will be attacks on the Cauberg. I'll be staggered if no one attacks. It's just a matter of if others can follow or not.
And what about Keteuberg...attack there can make real difference and tear the peloton.
Die hard fan of Tom Boonen and Quickstep since 2004.
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| ruben |
Posted on 18-04-2014 12:01
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Grand Tour Champion
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they should open up the final on 35km before the finish like in the old days.
Otherwise we're gonna be bored until 5km to go again |
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| Shonak |
Posted on 18-04-2014 12:09
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Tour de France Champion
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Ian Butler wrote:
I must admit that I find the Ardennes classics less exciting than the cobbled classics.
Hope that the coming races prove me wrong, though
Well, Ardennes may not be so dramatic like Flanders, but I can relate better to Ardennes with all those hills and such. If anything, those classics provide for some fluent riding up and down the road, and that always looks great.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 18-04-2014 12:11
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World Champion
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ruben wrote:
they should open up the final on 35km before the finish like in the old days.
Otherwise we're gonna be bored until 5km to go again
Maybe you were bored, by i am pretty sure that winning move happened somewhere along 20kms before the line last year. 
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| superider2010 |
Posted on 18-04-2014 13:08
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Breakaway Specialist
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somebody from astana will win
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| Shonak |
Posted on 18-04-2014 13:45
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
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Avin Wargunnson wrote:
ruben wrote:
they should open up the final on 35km before the finish like in the old days.
Otherwise we're gonna be bored until 5km to go again
Maybe you were bored, by i am pretty sure that winning move happened somewhere along 20kms before the line last year.
Last year was amazing. Hoping for smthg similiar this year.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 18-04-2014 14:33
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Tour de France Champion
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Umm, did Garmin say they are going for Slagter somewhere? Especially with this article :https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/marti...-gold-race, wouldn't it be more likely for Martin to lead with Slagter as his main lieutenant?
Edited by baseballlover312 on 18-04-2014 14:34
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| Alakagom |
Posted on 18-04-2014 14:34
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World Champion
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Slagter is far better option for Garmin at Amstel.
Martin will lead at Fleche and LBL.
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