Velominati Super Prestige: Amstel Gold 2015
The VSP must wearily pack its bags in Northern France and head over to the Netherlands. Hung over, you bet. After the Ronde and Paris-Roubaix, everyone is a little beat up. Those cobbles can wear a person down.
For those riders who can kill the short steep Limburg climbs, this is the beginning of their Spring Classics season. The profile of this race looks like a Japanese handsaw: if you are not going up, you are going down. This is the 50th edition of Amstel Gold and despite the race being named for a not entirely interesting beer, a lot of riders are keen for this.
Perhaps I point this out every year but a look at past winners of Amstel Gold makes it look like a race for the Pot Belge users of the peloton. Crank up every hill at maximum power and after thirty-something of them, gaps open up. When Stephan Schumacher won it in 2007 that should have been a tip off. Didn’t Lance do well in this race? Oh well, let’s not go down that rabbit hole.
Everyone knows the VSP deal: free entry and great prizes. No one has a commanding lead so everything is still up for the taking and bragging.
[vsp_results id=”32691″/]
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Haven’t given the race much thought this week, so here’s a placeholder and oddsmaker insurance against consuming too much wine, Belgian ale, scallops, Brussel sprouts and bread for dinner tonight.
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If @Steampunk picks PhilGil, it’s because Gilbert the Gator is still in Meredith’s good favor. This is science and it’s a lock.
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@xyxax
She’s outgrown the croc–or at least I didn’t plant him in the bed. I was basing the pick on the fact that it’s fun watching Gilbert go uphill fast and he did it reasonably well midweek. Sorry to drag you down with me…
@Steampunk
ah well, at least we have our memories. What were we talking about?
no idea what i’m doing here. These guys have all looked decent recently save Rodriguez, for whom I’m rooting just because [no good reason. well, that and i do like the look of those Canyons]
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it’ll seem strange not having krisstoff winning , shirley (sagan) choking and etixx looking at one another whilst someone breaks from the front
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@Michael Heusdens
Modification. Not sure Purito has the punch to challenge Phil. If it’s close at the top and Matthews is in it it’ll be his.
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Sagan out Mathews in.
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Beautiful, still day here in the Limburg. Seconding the concept of the lighter beer. Being exposed to so many Belgian beers, it is rewarding to occasionally drink a lighter Dutch beer at the turnaround point that doesn’t jeopardise the ride home
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Never bet against Gilbert when he’s on form. I learned that the hard way a couple of years ago.
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Need to check the spelling before hitting the button. Substitute Matthews for Weening. Home soil gives extra boost. (I hope)
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@Rockkk
I saw a quote renaming the Etixx team: “Tactixx-Misstep”. Clever.
@xyxax
Crocs. Crocs are the 21st-century answer to Dutch clogs. At least that’s what I thought we were talking about.
Is that Gerdeman in the breakaway?
Lotto Soudal: I like these lads a lot.
Fabulous finish! High suspense right to the end.
That sounded brilliant! Only was following the live feed… Can’t wait to watch it.
Kwiatkowski
Valverde
Matthews
Costa
Gallopin
The bids come good! Nice one by Gallopin Tony to get up there!
[vsp_results id=”32691″/]
My feed quit at the top of the Cauburg and jumped to Kwiat being wheeled to the podium.
Cauberg interruptus. Good on him, though.
@frank
I like that Gallopin kid. Actually, I like that whole squad from the kit to the kids they have riding in it. I hope they come good with a few good wins this year.
@xyxax
If I had a nickel for every time that happened to me. Of course, more often than not, it’s Cauberg DNS. Married nineteen years tomorrow.
Grr, tipped Matthews, Kwiatkowski and Valverde in the top 5 but ended up with only 3 points.
BUT what a ride by Matthews staying with Gilbert up the Cauburg, and then still having enough to sprint for 2nd. Maybe Kwiatkowski rode a bit smarter?
Steephill and Eurosport both have GVA in 5th. Nearlyman strikes again.
@Steampunk
Happy anniversary to you and Janet on nearly 2 decades of wedded bliss. When is her sainthood party?
Janet’s no saint. Janice is the martyr.