The Amstel Gold Race takes classic car hunters to the Ardennes and the location of the 2012 Road World Championships.
Favorites
Philippe Gilbert (BMC)
With his victory on Wednesday at the Brabant Arrow, Belgian Philippe Gilbert (BMC) has established himself as the favorite. Remarkably, this was his first win in a one-day race since the 2012 World Championships. His affinity for the beer-themed classic is evident not only from his rainbow-colored ride, but also from his two previous victories in the Amstel Gold Race.
Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-QuickStep)
Michal Kwiatkoswki proves how well the Belgian flagship team Omega Pharma-QuickStep is positioned across the board. The Pole is considered one of the greatest talents in cycling. His victory at Strade Bianche impressively underlined that he has what it takes to win big races. You should pay attention to him in the final.
Simon Geschke (Giant Shimano)
In the Argos-Shimano dress, the Berliner finished 18th in Valkenburg a year ago. This placement was preceded by a fifth place in the Brabant Arrow. This year he finished the classic in fourth place. There should therefore be no question that Geschke is in form. His second place on the tough fifth stage from Tirreno-Adriatico, where he was beaten only by Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) a month ago, shows that he has what it takes to keep up with the front runners in the final.
Besides the three riders mentioned, other strong climbers will also be looking to shine. Last year's winner, Roman Kreuziger (Tinkoff-Saxo), will certainly do everything he can to repeat his victory. But Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha), Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), Tom Jelte Slagter (Garmin-Sharp), Diego Ulissi (Lampre-Merida), and Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge) will also want to have their say in the final.
Route
The drivers have to cover a total of 251 kilometers on Easter Sunday in Limburg. 34 climbs and a total of 4.000 meters in altitude promise an exciting race. The favorites will then put their cards on the table at the latest at the Cauberg, after all, on the third crossing of the 1.2 kilometer long, last climb of the day, it will be revealed who has played the best gamble so far.
An overview of the route can be found here. [Link]
climbs
1. Slingerberg / 1.3 kilometers / 4.8 percent
2. Adsteeg / 700 meters / 4.5 percent
3. Long Raarberg / 1.8 kilometers / 3.9 percent
4. Bergseweg / 2.6 kilometers / 3.3 percent
5. Sibbergrubbe / 1.8 kilometers / 3.9 percent
6. Cauberg / 1.2 kilometers / 5.8 percent
7. Geulhemmerberg / 1 kilometer / 6.2 percent
8. Wolfsberg / 800 meters / 4.4 percent
9. Loorberg / 1.5 kilometers / 5.5 percent
10. Schweibergerweg / 2.9 kilometers / 3.9 percent
11. Camerig / 4.3 kilometers / 3.8 percent
12. Drielandenpoint / 3.7 kilometers / 3.7 percent
13. Gemmenich / 900 meters / 6.4 percent
14. Vijlenerbos / 1.8 kilometers / 5.1 percent
15. Eperheide / 2.3 kilometers / 4.1 percent
16. Gulpenerberg / 700 meters / 8.1 percent
17. Plettenberg / 1 kilometer / 4.2 percent
18. Eijserweg / 2.2 kilometers / 4.3 percent
19. Huls / 1 kilometer / 7.7 percent
20. Vrakelberg / 700 meters / 7.9 percent
21. Sibbergrubbe / 2.1 kilometers / 4.1 percent
22. Cauberg / 1.2 kilometers / 5.8 percent
23. Geulhemmerberg / 1 kilometer / 6.2 percent
24. Bemelerberg / 900 meters / 5 percent
25. Loorberg / 1.5 kilometers / 5.5 percent
26. Gulpenerberg / 700 meters / 8.1 percent
27. Kruisberg / 800 meters / 7.5 percent
28. Eijserbosweg / 1.1 kilometers / 8.1 percent
29. Fromberg / 1.6 kilometers / 4 percent
30. Keutenberg / 700 meters / 9.4 percent
31. Cauberg / 1.2 kilometers / 5.8 percent
32. Geulhemmerberg / 1 kilometer / 6.2 percent
33. Bemelerberg / 900 meters / 5 percent
34. Cauberg / 1.2 kilometers / 5.8 percent
Live Stream
From 1 p.m. on Easter Sunday, links to the various live streams and www.cyclingfans.com [ Link ] will be available.