The best on the cobbles make way for the best in the hills as we begin the Ardennes week. Join The Roar from 9:15pm (AEST) for live updates of the 2015 Amstel Gold Race.
The Amstel Gold Race is traditionally seen as the swap over between Flanders’ cobbles to the Ardennes’ hills.
The route for the 2015 Amstel Gold race takes the riders from Maastricht to the Cauberg Hill near Valkenburg over a distance of 258 kilometres, with narrow roads, twists, turns and plenty of hills.
The Cauberg Hill is the finishing destination, however upon reaching the summit of the climb there are still about two kilometres of flat to go.
Overall there will be 34 climbs throughout the 258 km raced, but this race will be won right in the back end, on the last four climbs which come one after the other within the final 22 kilometres.
The fourth-last and final climb of the race is the Cauberg Hill, which will be climbed four times in total. The Cauberg is only 900 metres in length but is a real struggle for the riders, as the average gradient is up at 7.5 per cent, ramping up to 13 per cent in sections. The final two summits of the Cauberg come at 21 and three kilometres to go.
This final stretch of tough climbs will be used by the riders with strong teams to launch multiple attacks, while others will aim to hang on until the final ascent of the Cauberg and put everything into one attack.
Looking at the start list and form in the lead-up, the unquestionable favourites are defending champion Phillippe Gilbert (BMC), Michal Kwiatkowski (Etixx – Quickstep), Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), Peter Sagan (Saxo), Joaquim Rodríguez (Katusha) and Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEDGE).
Another rider who deserves a mention, after finishing just outside the top 10 last year, is Bjorn Lukemans (Wanty). He has shown impressive form on the cobbles over the last two weeks and is a real shot.
Other riders in with a chance include Tom Dumoulin (Giant Alpecin), Bauke Mollema (Trek), Daniel Martin (Cannondale – Garmin), Jelle Vanendert (Lotto–Soudal), Sylvain Chavanel (IAM), former world champion Rinaldo Nocentini and Carlos Bentacur (Both Ag2R).
The team with the most arrows in their quiver is Astana. The team, with its future still in the air after multiple drug scandals, have last year’s Tour de France winner Vincenzo Nibali, fighter and in-form rider Lars Boom, and Luis Leon Sanchez all as possible winners. How will their team tactics play out?
These one day classics are so hard to pick a winner for, but I have to go with Phillipe Gilbert (BMC) to win his fourth Amstel Gold Race. He is just such a strong rider and has the full support of his team which includes the in-form Greg Van Avermaet, Damiano Caruso and Samuel Sanchez. He should be too strong.
Join us here on The Roar from 9:15pm (AEST) for our live coverage of the 2015 Amstel Gold Race, and be sure to leave your comments as the race progresses.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well that wraps up the Roar's live coverage of the 2015 Amstel Gold Race and what a race is was as Michal Kwiatkowski takes out the victory. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage this evening. There are 2 more major spring classics coming up this week with La Fleche Wallone on Wednesday Evening and the Leige - Bastogne - Leige race on Sunday night. Unfortunately I am unable to cover either of these races however they should still be covered on the Roar. I'll be back for the Giro D'Italia in May, or if youre a rugby league fan why not tune in later tonight for the South Sydney Rabbitohs vs the Cronulla Sharks clash in Monday Night Footy. If not remember to keep it tuned to the Roar for all the best sporting opinion and live coverage. Enough from me. Goodnight!
Scott Pryde
Expert
The podium presentation is waiting for Michael Matthews who is a no show at the moment.
Scott Pryde
Expert
AMSTEL GOLD RACE 2015 TOP 10 1 Michal Kwiatkowski (Etixx - Quick-Step) 2 Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) 3 Michael Matthews (Orica GreenEdge) 4 Rui Costa (Lampre) 5 Tony Gallopin (Lotto Soudal) 6 Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) 7 Julian Alaphillipe (Etixx - Quick Step) 8 Enrico Gasparotto (Wanty - Groupe Goubert) 9 Maciej Paterski (CCC) 10 Philippe Gilbert(BMC)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Podium now being done.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Top 10 to follow in the next post.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well replays show that was Matthews to win. He really destroyed his opportunity by pulling off the Van Avermaet lead out and trying to swing across the road. He got himself boxed in and that was that. Valverde was fast in the sprint as well who was on the lead out of a Sky rider on the right hand side. Kwiatowski however came from no where to win that and it was a brilliant sprint from the World Champion who breaks the curse of World Champions not winning. Van Avermaet was also in a brilliant position and could have won but in the end just didn't have enough in the sprint. The Cauberg Hill proved to split the race up but not end it for those who couldn't follow. Hermans attacked the Green Edge line from the bottom after Green Edge through Simon Gerrans lead onto the Cauberg. As Hermans cracked it was all down to Gilbert who attacked brilliantly and shook off everyone bar Matthews. It was almost a look of horror from Gilbert when he realised Matthews was still there. The pace went out of the duo despite Matthews coming to the front and the gritty Alejandro Valverde was the first to come back to the leaders. Following him was Kwiatowski with a whole host of riders. Before the Cauberg we saw a number of attacks and one that looked particularly dangerous from SImon Clarke and Vincenzo Nibali with Tony Martin joining them in front but in the end they were caught. What a race it was and congratulation to Michal Kwiatkowski
Scott Pryde
Expert
Now Kwiatowski and a few others have caught up. Fugslang is among them and he attacks but Hermans is straight onto the wheel. now Hermans begins the lead out for Gilbert and Matthews into his wheel. A rider from Sky leads out and Matthews launches but Van Avermaet goes on the left. And now Kwiatowski hits out and where did he come from? He has outsprinted Matthews! WOW MICHAL KWIATKOWSKI WINS AMSTEL GOLD 2015
Scott Pryde
Expert
As Hermans cracks Gilbert goes hard and Matthews is the only one who can follow. Gilbert tries to crack Matthews a couple of times but cant. As they come over the top Valverde manages to catch back on and its a 3 rider group off the Cauberg.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Orica lead onto the Cauberg. Herman of BMC attacks from the bottom.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Simon Gerrans on the front here and smashing the speed for Matthews. Orica in a very good position.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Orica Green Edge on the front with some serious numbers. Lampre trying to get onto the front and BMC seem to have run out of manpower a little bit here.
Scott Pryde
Expert
The race is all back together again and here come Orica Green Edge. The fight is on here.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Oh hang on a minute. Van Avermaet and Hermans are both away a little bit. IAM and Tinkoff lead the charge.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fugslang sits up a little bit here as he decided he isn't going to drag Van Avermaet to the line.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Tinkoff Saxo lead the charge and here come Sky.
Scott Pryde
Expert
The Cauberg is about 2 km away.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Now its Tinkoff Saxo leading the charge. Still a 6 second gap with 5 km to go.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Van Avermaet giving no help what so ever here. Gap out to 7 seconds.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fugslang and Van Avermaet have about 6 seconds now with 6 km to go.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Katusha and Orica leading the group here.