Rolf's Diary UpdateAmstel Gold Race It started very quickly. But I was prepared for this. Jacky Durand promised me that he would attack right after the start. But it's the riders from Palmans who want to escape for every prize. The field is always in a thin line to negotiate the traffic islands, the traffic lights, the bike paths, a slalom, like that is in Holland. we leave behind the first 30km in 40 minutes. "Super like that, so we'll definitely still catch our flight tonight!" I hear from Alex Zulle next to me. "You perhaps, but I'm flying from Paris at 8:20, so we'll have to ride this fast for the next three hours." The kilometres fly by like that, after 70km a little peace has returned. But don't be deceived by this, and from now on I'll ride at the front, the wide roads are behind us, and then the race will really begin after the first feed zone at 105km. I suppose at least since I rode here three years ago that the course has changed a little. And already I'm surprised by a narrow climb. I'm near the front luckily! The small roads remain very narrow, I'm right at the front with five riders from Rabobank. They're planning something! Hard to believe, it starts, they're riding like crazy, the field pulls itself in a very very long line. Brake, hairpin turn, pedal hard, and then I can't stop my self from smiling, I see the entire field like a 600m long string of pearls, I'm in the first 10 positions. Those behind will have tremendous leg pains after this curve. But after a few kilometres the fuss is finished, everything together again. But from now on, without a doubt, only those forward will count. All the riders know that, and so we jostle also in the feed zone, the first, second, third, forth hill. Somehow I hold my position relatively easily and am also totally forward as we attack the hill at the "three country point". Holland's highest point, I think, 380m above sea level. After that follow curves again, steep climbs, but I know them all still. Only on the Keutenberg can I not remember, but the name says to me that it's very steep and hard. And my power is certainly drawing to a close. But then on the Keutenberg (I'm right, it's **very** steep) I see that the riders to my right and left are also struggling. But then no descent, instead a long flat part with a side wind. I struggle with all I have to close the three metre gap in front of me again. Just don't give it away, afterwards for a while only the Cauberg still. And there's only one, beginning in the distance, and then hope that I can at least stay with the last of the group. The road is wide and steep, how could I still attack here during the Tour de France at all? And during my victory here four years ago, I rode up very comfortably! Today it's not like that, but at the top I'm still with the group, and the field has become noticeably small. At the first pass by the finish it begins to rain, up ahead, I think, a rider is away, but I have no idea who and how many. After the St. Pietersberg MG begins to ride, and find myself taking refuge on the rear wheel of Michele Bartoli, the leader of the World Cup. For the next 10km I'm looked after pretty well, though I can't see anymore, my glasses are totally dirty, steamed up, and everything. Unnerved I throw them away, and notice that it's not raining so hard anymore. Were those only drops on my glasses? Third from last berg nears, the Hallembay or something, a kilometre long road, straight and steep. During my victory I shook off with Gianni Bugno the last leaders. But how can I get to the top today? I struggle, struggle, and struggle some more, afterwards I struggle still again in order to close that 10m gap. Finally, again in the group, immediately to the front. I don't know how many riders are still here, I have to absolutely get to the very front in the next bit, and then I can perhaps survive. It's again pouring rain, as we attack the last berg 4 km from the finish, again the St. Pietersberg. I almost risk my life, but get to the front at the hairpin turn, so I have a little relief. But because it's very narrow, I don't lose many places and begin the sprint for the line already in the descent (like all the others as well). The last kilometre. Should I take the rear wheel of Sciandri? Or Ekimov? Sorensen would be also possible? It doesn't matter, just keep pedaling. In any case, I cross the line between seventh and tenth position. Now one would only want to know how many riders broke away earlier. Translated by David Wear |