37th Amstel Gold Race - (CDM)

Netherlands, April 28, 2002

2001 Results    Preview     Start List    Past winners    Live report

Preview

By Jeff Jones

Windmills
Photo: © AFP

The fifth and final race of the World Cup this spring is the Amstel Gold Race, being held this year on a Sunday instead of the usual Saturday. First held in 1966, the Amstel is certainly the baby of the spring classics, but has earned its place alongside the 'monuments'. It's by far the biggest race in the Netherlands, and we can expect thousands of orange-clad fans dotted along the 33 climbs thoroughly enjoying the occasion, especially if there is a cafe nearby.

The race starts and finishes in Maastricht in the southern part of the Netherlands, wedged between Belgium and Germany. The route is quite torturous, with the aforementioned climbs forming the key part of the race. Unlike the Ronde Van Vlaanderen, there is no 150 kilometre cooling off period before the climbs start. After 9 kilometres the riders hit the 1.1 km Slingerberg; only 5% but merely a taste of things to come. None of the climbs are longer than 2.1 kilometres, and none average more than 11%. The best known is probably the Cauberg, a 1 km cobbled climb at 8% which is tackled three times, the last with under 20 km to go.

Stringing 33 climbs over the course of a 254 kilometre race is considered by most to be a sufficient challenge. Add in the numerous corners and the wind, and it's surprising that the Amstel does occasionally finish in a bunch sprint. Erik Zabel won it in 2000 in such a manner, but more often than not a small group gets away to contest the finish.

Who will it be this year?

Erik Dekker, 2001 champion
Photo: © AFP

Despite the absence of last year's winner Erik Dekker, the Rabobank team will start this race in the favourites' role. Michael Boogerd has finished first and second previously, and should be well supported by a motivated team that includes Markus Zberg, also a potential winner. On paper, they are not as strong as some of the other teams, but they are racing at home and there is a good incentive to win.

Mapei-Quick Step have already won two World Cups this season - can they make it three? With World Cup challenger Paolo Bettini at the helm, anything is possible. Add in Oscar Freire and a support crew that includes Tafi, Nardello and Zanini, and Mapei is in with a huge chance.

Lotto will be looking at Peter Van Petegem to try and increase his position on the World Cup table. He's currently in fifth position, and does well in this type of race. Last year's third placed Serge Baguet is also in with a chance, as is Mario Aerts.

The Fassa Bortolo boys haven't managed to snag a World Cup win yet this season - perhaps Bartoli and Basso (3rd last week) can combine to put them on the top of the podium. Don't count out Domo's Johan Museeuw and Fred Rodriguez, both of whom have been successful this season. Museeuw has the World Cup jersey, and wants to keep it. He won this race in 1994 and is more suited to it than the tougher Ardennes races.

Don't rule out Erik Zabel either - the Telekom powerhouse is not at his best so far this season, but has still picked up several wins. He's capable of making it to the finish and should he do so, there are few who can beat him.

One rider who would dearly like to add Amstel to his palmares is twice runner up Lance Armstrong, who will lead the US Postal team along with their classics man George Hincapie. Armstrong was not there for the final of Liege-Bastogne-Liege, and he expressed serious doubts about his form last week. This week may be a different story.

Don't miss Cyclingnews' Live coverage of the 37th Amstel Gold Race - starts at 10:00am local time (4:00am Eastern, 1:00am Pacific, 6:00pm Australian east).

Past winners

back to top