Amstel Gold Race (women)
10:01 Maastricht – 14:25 Berg en Terblijt
A finish that will resonate for a long time. Certainly in the head of Lorena Wiebes, who seemed to fly to victory in her dream Amstel Gold Race after an elite sprint, but the Dutch cheered too early. While the SD Worx-Protime sprinter raised her arms in the air, Marianne Vos ultimately threw her bike past that of her compatriot. A strong plot twist at the end of a bizarre and shortened Gold Race.
It was a tumultuous day in Dutch Limburg. Everything went smoothly with a few attack attempts, but after an hour of racing the race was suddenly stopped.
A police motorcycle off the course was involved in a traffic accident with a car. Police cars and ambulances had to drive past the platoon, making neutralization the only option.
The accident happened around the Bergseweg, a slope on the course, so the organization had to make decisions. After more than an hour the decision was made to drive to Valkenburg with the peloton neutralized.
There were not the planned 4 local laps on the program, but only 3. So only 55 kilometers were raced.
The women took every opportunity to attack. During the first passage over the Cauberg, Elisa Longo Borghini placed a first real attack, but that did not yield much.
The six that rode away on the Cauberg were picked up on the next slope. Three new riders rode away on the Geulhemmerberg: Eva van Agt, Ricarda Bauernfeind and Yara Kastelijn.
There was complete silence behind them. In no time they gained a minute and a half lead.
We had to wait for the next passage over the Cauberg, when entering the final round. Once again Elisa Longo Borghini launched an attack, but again without success.
When the bell sounded at the line, the peloton was compact, just over half a minute behind the three leaders.
SD Worx-Protime misses out on the victory
The peloton came very close to Van Agt, Bauernfeind and Kastelijn, but the three attackers suddenly received another minute bonus. Things looked very good for the trio for a while.
That was until SD Worx-Protime (finally) took the initiative. Not one of the servants, but world champion Lotte Kopecky did the leading work. She didn’t make a fantastic impression uphill.
Ellen van Dijk (Lidl-Trek) also made a strong head turn. As a result, the three leaders had a lead of barely 10 seconds at the foot of the Cauberg.
The gravy seemed to have disappeared for many riders. The gap between the three was closed, but no one could make a splitting attack.
About 20 riders, without an empty Kopecky, arrived at the top together. Lorena Wiebes survived without any problems.
No one could make a difference anymore. Demi Vollering kept the pace high, allowing a reduced peloton to reach the finish.
Longo Borghini was the first to attack, but with the wind in her head she was a bird to the cat. Wiebes squeezed between the Italian and crowd barriers and was on his way to victory.
The Dutch sprinter sprinted excellently, but was already cheering 15 meters from the finish. A cunning Marianne Vos followed in her footsteps and passed Wiebes with a jump.
For example, 36-year-old Marianne Vos is partying in her own country.
Results Amstel Gold Race (women)
Phase by phase
3rd place for Gaskjenn
In addition to Vos and Wiebes, the surprising Ingvild Gaskjenn is also on stage. That is a great achievement by the Norwegian.
Demi Vollering kept the pace high in the final straight line so no one attacked. Longo Borghini opened the sprint and made it difficult for Wiebes to pass on the inside. The former European champion still succeeded and was a lot faster than the rest, but she cheered too early and a cunning Vos still won by half a wheel.
Wiebes cheers too early, Vos wins!
Marianne Vos wins the Amstel Gold Race. Wiebes was clearly the fastest, but she was already cheering 10 meters from the finish. Vos placed another jump and passed her compatriot.
Group sprint?
There are some frantic attack attempts, but no one gets away. It seems to be a sprint duel between Wiebes and Vos. Or will someone provide a surprise?
It seems to be a group sprint. At the top of the Cauberg there are about 20 riders in the peloton. This is an excellent opportunity for Wiebes.
Strong Wiebes
Niewiadoma, Longo Borghini, Vos and Wiebes jump to the head of the race. It does come to a standstill, which means that others also return.
Amanda Spratt accidentally drives away from the peloton. She immediately comes to the three leaders. Kopecky steps aside.
Pay Cauberg
The trio starts the Cauberg with a 10 second lead.
Lidl-Trek in the lead
Ellen van Dijk has put forward Brand and Longo Borghini. The pace of the Dutch rider is high and the peloton comes back within half a minute. Within a few kilometers they start at the Cauberg.
“In this way, Kopecky completely sacrifices her chances”
Kopecky receives support from Vas. Suddenly the three leaders also lose some ground. Their lead is between 40 and 45 seconds.
Kopecky checks
It is a striking image in the peloton. Lotte Kopecky is in the lead, while riders like Vas and Bredewold are also in the peloton.
In the peloton, the teams are mainly concerned with positioning towards the last slope. There the difference drops to one minute.
Van Agt continues firmly on the Bemelerberg, Kopecky checks in the peloton
1’10”
It looks excellent for the three leaders. They still have about 5 kilometers to extend their lead towards the Cauberg.
Kastelijn back
The Dutch is back with Van Agt and Bauernfeind. It is not a good sign towards the Cauberg.
From 3 to 2
Eva van Agt continues firmly on the Bemelerberg. Bauernfeind sticks to her wheel, Kastelijn loses.
2024-04-15 08:49:51
#Unbelieveable #Lorena #Wiebes #cheers #early #Marianne #Vos #ultimately #wins #Amstel #Gold #Race
