The Amstel Gold Race is an exciting race on the hilly roads of Southern Netherlands. It features 30+ short climbs among which the Cauberg is often the focus of drama. The roads are narrow and sadly the race is often accident prone.
Top 10 of the last two editions
- 2021
This year’s favourite powered to victory in an exciting race where Alaphilippe and Fulsang were overhauled in the last kilometer. (You can rewatch the 2021 edition HERE)
- 2019
Van Aert just shaded it in a controversial photo finish. Pidcock and Schachmann are back, but while Pidcock is bang on form, Schachmann may not repeat last year’s result. He had an excellent Paris-Nice in 2021 and has failed to reproduce that form this year thus far
- 2019
Men’s Amstel Gold Race 2022
Lulu says: Mathieu Van der Poel is a previous winner and obvious selection and on imperious form this year.
Tom Pidcock, second last year and he was strong at Dwars Doors Vlaanderen.
Valentin Madouas, was strong at Ronde and will carry French hopes.
Dylan Teuns, also shaped well at the Ronde.
Michael Matthews, is no stranger to the Amstel Gold Race and this race suits him well.
Mark Hirschi, his last races show he could be returning to top form again. Soren Kragh Andersen, was strong in his last races.
Benoit Cosnefroy, was strong in Circuit de la Sarthe and avoided the last stage carnage for a satisfactory second in general classification.
Fred Wright, has to be considered because of an outstanding ride in the Ronde.
Tiesj Benoot & Christophe Laporte are in great shape and have been knocking at the door in recent weeks and both have the quality to win this race.
Few extra Favourites and Outsiders by CC2004
Warren Barguil – Can make it over the climbs and can sprint as shown in GP Indurain by winning a reduced sprint
Stefan Kung – Having a good classics season with 3rd in E3 Saxo Bank Classic, 5th in Ronde, 6th in Dwars door Vlaanderen.
Jan Tratnik – Been consistent since Milan-Sanremo with 9th at MSR and Dwars door Vlaanderen & 12th at Ronde.
Special mention by mufcfaan: Magnus Sheffield: At 19, he surprised all the big favourites by a spring attack in Andalucia, could repeat his feat.
Bahrain will throw the dice and see which number comes out with Mohoric, Wright, Teuns, Tratnik and Jack Haig.
Weather
Weekend forecasts suggest there may be rain in the early afternoon that will decrease as the race progresses. With temperatures set to be in the region of 12 degrees and winds at 15 kms/h, conditions should be perfect for great racing.
Betting
The bookie’s view is clear: Van der Poel is available at shorter than 2/1 . They see the main threats as Pidcock at 5’s and Matthews at 8’s. Other contenders range from upwards of 18’s so there must be some value there somewhere. Michael Valgren, the 2018 winner was 13th here last year and six seconds behind Pidcock last week in the Tour de Flandres. At 40/1 he might represent value for a podium finish.
Women’s Amstel Gold Race 2022
CC2004 says:
Annemiek Van Vleuten – in excellent form as she won Omloop, second at Strade and Ronde, third last year.
Demi Vollering – second at Omloop behind Annemiek Van Vleuten and second last year.
Katarzyna Niewiadoma – 4th at Strade and 8th at Ronde, top 10 finish last year.
Mavi Garcia – 6th last year and more vertical meters so will do well.
Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio – 3rd at Strade & 10th at Trofeo Binda, 9th last year.
Special mention from Mark Miwurdz: Soraya Paladin
