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Amstel Gold Race Discussion
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| Selwink |
Posted on 15-08-2014 13:44
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Grand Tour Champion
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The classics of the Ardennes are coming close once again, and as is tradition the first of the three races is the one that's not raced in Belgium: The Amstel Gold Race, which is held in the hills of the Dutch part of Limburg. The south of Limburg is known for its hills, which obviously are going to decide today's race.
In comparison with the previous years the parcours has had only a minor change, which shouldn't make too much difference in the decision of the race. As usual, the race is likely to be decided on the Cauberg, the final hill, where all punchers will try to reach the top first. In the past years the finish was right there already, but now it's 1.5kms further, after a flat section.
The top favourite for this kind of races is as usual  Boasson Hagen. Not only is he the best puncher of the field, he also has very strong support, with especially Levarlet being an incredibly strong lieutenant for him. This makes the winner of last year and 2011 the biggest favourite.
Boasson Hagen's biggest rival is likely  Bakelants. The Belgian may have more support from the audience, but he might suffer from problems with support in his team, with Teklehaimanot, El Fares and Martin as support.
 Tinkoff Credit Systems Bank will rely on Trofimov for this edition. The Russian rider may have some trouble with acceleration, as both Boasson Hagen and Bakelants are better at that. However, he does have a strong squad to support him, with Rovny, Rybakov and Zakarin as main lieutenants.
The German Stefan Schumacher will be the key rider for  Swisscom - UBS this year. Even more than Trofimov though he hasn't got the best acceleration. With Fumeaux and Albasini he does have some decent support and he hopes he can improve his second place of last year.
Last year,  Gilbert ended at a disappointing 14th place, after having won in 2012. With riders like Lutsenko, Silva and Teklit by his side he hopes he can pick up his second victory here.
 Pokerstars.com brings Ginanni here, who is here for the first time since 2010, when he came 6th. Due to having Roche, Izagirre and Wallays by his side this team might be the strongest squad here.
Apart from these favourites there are some very dangerous outsiders. 2010 winner  Schleck should never be ruled out, nor should be  Van Garderen,  Ponzi and  Riccò.
| Year | Winner | Team | | 2007 | Filippo Pozzato | AG2R-Prévoyance | | 2008 | Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez | Discovery Channel | | 2009 | Michael Boogerd | Philips-Hummel | | 2010 | Fränk Schleck | Accumalux-Huez | | 2011 | Edvald Boasson Hagen | Team B&O | | 2012 | Philippe Gilbert | Pendleton's | | 2013 | Edvald Boasson Hagen | Aker-MOT |
The 2014 Amstel Gold Race is looking like it will be an open race, where many attacks should occur in order to make sure the favourites are not going to claim victory. A nightmare scenario would be a mass sprint up the Cauberg and hopefully that will be prevented. |
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| roturn |
Posted on 15-08-2014 13:47
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Team Manager
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Sanchez, Roux, Boom, Thurau. Can`t offer much more in the hilly classics.
Still I have some hopes here.
Thurau and Boom are expected to attack at some time.
Roux and Sanchez should fight for a high result. Hopefully the co-leadership will work and not give me one result and one gruppetto rider. 
Top10 would be awesome top 15 and three in top30 wanted. |
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| Bushwackers |
Posted on 15-08-2014 16:08
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Sprinter
Posts: 1983
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Alright Schumacher do something special. This should be a fun race either way.
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| SotD |
Posted on 15-08-2014 18:22
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World Champion
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It will be very interesting to see how Ricco can fare in these races. He kinda needs to pull some top 10s atleast.
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| beagle |
Posted on 15-08-2014 21:50
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4235
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Can´t wait for report, hopefully Ginanni fulfill his leader´s role and score some valuable points 
Manager of Polar in Man-Game
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| OlegTinkov |
Posted on 15-08-2014 22:00
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2774
Joined: 31-12-2007
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Looking forward to the report! No sponsor goal, so no pressure, still a top-3 would be awesome!
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| ember |
Posted on 15-08-2014 23:06
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Team Leader
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This is kind of a make or break. Boasson Hagen hasn't been convincing at all so far this season, but it will all be forgotten if he can do anything similar to what he performed last year in AGR, Flèche and LBL. Fingers crossed we'll be off for a good start!
Looking a lot forward to the report |
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| dave92 |
Posted on 16-08-2014 14:13
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Classics Specialist
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Van Garderen needs a strong Ardennes campaign to make up for some early failure undperformances across the squad.
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| roturn |
Posted on 19-08-2014 10:28
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Team Manager
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Hmm. Not sure what I shall think about the outcome.
Roux surprisingly strong. 15th is okay.
LLS must have had a bad daily form. Not even top30 while he probably should have been capable of 5-15 is not good and my 3rd best on 85. is unacceptable.
Also I don`t understand why in every race this season my team does not get into the breakaway and then is even chasing for an outside favourite. Let the other teams doing the main work and concentrate on your strengths...
I really hope that the more mountain races and GT`s will finally give me some breakaway time.
Thanks for the report. Nicely done. |
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| OlegTinkov |
Posted on 19-08-2014 11:17
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2774
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Wow, what a race, great report, team preformed really well. Also Schleck is having a good season so far. Two more (hill classics) to go, next up Fleche Wallone, a top-5 will do, fingers crossed for a Top-3 at Liege- Bastogne - Liege (sponsorgoal!)
Edited by OlegTinkov on 20-08-2014 21:39
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 09-12-2025 05:06
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| Smowz |
Posted on 19-08-2014 11:27
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Thanks for the report selwink.
No mention fir the red bull lads and no surprise about that. Very tactical finale, Hagen messing up badly really, trofimov superb and super strong you have to say.
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| niconico |
Posted on 19-08-2014 12:27
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Classics Specialist
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Really liked the report! Also decent result for us with Kwiatek in 18th... maybe should've trained him as a puncheur 
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| Bushwackers |
Posted on 19-08-2014 16:04
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Sprinter
Posts: 1983
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Whoah that was horrible. 19th??
Well congrats to Oleg anyway.
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| beagle |
Posted on 19-08-2014 17:02
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4235
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Nice report, thanks Selwink!
Roche is continuing on his hot run, 5th place is very satisfying. Ginanni slightly disappointing again, this guy just can´t handle with his 83 hilly skill 
congrats to Oleg!
Manager of Polar in Man-Game
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 20-08-2014 00:31
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World Champion
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When Leezer is my best rider all that is left to say is... Hello Continental Tour!
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| CountArach |
Posted on 20-08-2014 05:38
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Grand Tour Champion
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Bushwackers wrote:
Whoah that was horrible. 19th??
Well congrats to Oleg anyway.
You know things are going poorly when even my team beats you.
Thanks for the report Selwink.
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 20-08-2014 06:19
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World Champion
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One of the best reportsi have ever read in the man-game, fantastic job Selwink! 
Congrats to Oleg, Trofimov is a deserved winner. And one more trick from the old Schleck ponny, this man never gets old in the man-game, or does he?
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| Roman |
Posted on 20-08-2014 08:08
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Grand Tour Specialist
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Truly great report Selwink!
Happy with 11th place from Sagan, it is nice to see delivering things from him once again.
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| ember |
Posted on 20-08-2014 19:52
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Team Leader
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Wow, that was surprisingly bad from Boasson Hagen. It looks more and more like this is definitely not his season at all. He should at least be better in Flèche and LBL compared to this.
Anyway, thanks for a great report! And congratulations to Oleg. |
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| dave92 |
Posted on 22-08-2014 00:59
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Classics Specialist
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Quality report for a hectic race.
Strong riding from Trofimov, deserved win.
Very pleased with Van Garderen, constantly aggressive and quite strong.
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