Mathieu van der Poel takes astonishing victory at Amstel Gold Race

Mathieu van der Poel sprinted to victory in the Amstel Gold Race on Sunday to give the Dutch a first victory since 2001 in the sole cycling classic on their soil this century.

“I still can’t understand what’s happened,” said Van der Poel after snatching away a victory Julian Alaphilippe appeared to have in his grasp.

Alaphilippe, who has been in sparkling form this spring for the dominant Deceuninck-Quick-step, broke away with Astana rider Jakob Fuglsang with a little more than 35 kilometres to go. With three kilometres left, the two had a lead of 38 seconds.

But as they started eyeing each other, Michal Kwiatkowski (Team Sky) closed as Van der Poel launched a frantic pursuit dragging the chasing group with him.

An exhausted Alaphilippe launched a sprint but was overtaken by the speeding Van der Poel, who was far enough ahead by the finish to cradle his face in his hands as he crossed the line. The 24-year old became the first Dutch winner since Erik Dekker in 2001.

EF Education First’s Simon Clarke and Fuglsang completed the podium of the race.

"CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!"@mathieuvdpoel comes from OVER A MINUTE back to win an absolutely astonishing #AmstelGold2019

One of the greatest race finishes in recent memory. pic.twitter.com/Z0SzcrYVtH

— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) April 21, 2019

Amstel Gold Race 2019 results: