cycling: 52nd Amstel Gold Race: Gilbert defeats Kwiatkowski in a double sprint

Cycling: Philippe Gilbert (Quick-Step Floors) also won the Amstel Gold Race. The Belgian prevailed in the two-man sprint against Michal Kwiatkowski (Sky). The breakaway group was caught 40 kilometers from the finish. Immediately afterwards, two groups of seven broke up, fully stocked with favorites. Third place went to Swiss Michael Albasini (Orica-Scott).

With 40 kilometers to go, everything comes together again

The 52nd Amstel Gold Race led from Maastricht over 261 kilometers to Berg en Terblijt. Since the Cauberg was no longer just before the finish, but was already 18,8 kilometers before the line, the organizers expected a more open race. In terms of excitement, the drivers could not live up to expectations for a long time. Despite the wavy profile, the race felt like a typical flat Grand Tour stage for much of the stretch. The breakaways rode ahead, but the peloton didn't let them go far. Twelve drivers broke away, including the two well-known drivers Lars Boom (LottoNL-Jumbo) and Stijn Vandenbergh (Ag2r). In the field, it was mainly Team BMC that set the pace. Greg Van Avermaet (BMC), the winner of Paris Roubaix, wanted to triumph for the first time here at the Amstel Gold Race just a week later. Unusual: the group was caught 40 kilometers before the finish line and the race started all over again.

7 against 7 after the Keutenberg

Immediately after the merger, there were attacks. Michael Albasini (Orica-Scott) and Philippe Gilbert (Quick-Step Floors) pulled away along with other riders. Meanwhile, the main field was getting smaller and smaller. Among others, Enrico Gasparotto (Bahrain-Merida) and Roman Kreuziger (Orica-Scott) also lost touch after falling 30 kilometers from the finish line. In Keutenberg, the field finally broke up. Michal Kwiatkowski (Sky) joined the front group while a chasing group formed behind them that also included Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and Greg Van Avermaet (BMC). When both groups entered the Cauberg with 18,8 kilometers to go, the gap was around 30 seconds. The peloton was already a minute behind. There, the Sunweb team around Michael Matthews tried to work on the pace, but the task was hopeless. The winner of the 2017 Amstel Gold Race was expected to come from the first two groups of seven riders each.

Philippe Gilbert is finally back

As the lead grew to 50 seconds with ten kilometers to go, the seven leaders knew the title would be fought between them. In addition to Albasini, Gilbert and Kwiatkowski, Sergio Henao (Sky), Jon Izagirre (Bahrain-Merida), Nathan Haas (Dimension Data) and Joaquin Rojas (Movistar) should decide the victory among themselves. Rojas, who had his captain Valverde in the chasing group, did not want to take part in the leadership work. In the Bemelerberg, Kwiatkowski attacked and only Gilbert reacted attentively. The two strongest drivers pulled away and didn't let the five pursuers get closer. Kwiatkowski sprinted out of Gilbert's slipstream in the home straight and already looked like a sure winner. But Gilbert sucked his rear wheel again and pushed past a few meters from the finish. Gilbert celebrates his fourth victory at the Amstel Gold Rade. Third place went to Swiss Michael Albasini (Orica-Scott).

Result of the Amstel Gold Race 2017