Preview Amstel Gold Race 2024 | Will Van der Poel attempt another 40+ kilometer solo?
CyclingFriday, 12 April 2024 at 22:10
The cobblestone classics have wrapped up, paving the way for the Ardennes classics, and that includes the Amstel Gold Race. IDLProCycling.com is, of course, excited to preview the Netherlands' most important one-day race!
In recent years, the Amstel Gold Race has delivered thrilling spectacles, but is this a guarantee for the near future? It would certainly be wonderful. The honor roll is already one to relish. In 2019, Mathieu van der Poel made cycling history with a phenomenal comeback, and in both 2021 and 2022, the Amstel Gold Race was decided by a photo finish that to the naked eye provided no clear winner.
Last year, it was Tadej Pogacar who soloed to victory in a phenomenal manner. The world-class rider opened the debates early in the race, gradually thinned out an elite group, dropped Ben Healy and Tom Pidcock on the Keutenberg, and completed a 29-kilometer solo.
Practical information Amstel Gold Race 2024
- Sunday, April 14, 2024
- Participants
- Classification: 1.UWT
In this article
- Recent winners
- Course, weather and race times
- Favorites
- TV information
Recent winners Amstel Gold Race
2023 Tadej Pogacar
2022Michal Kwiatkowski
2021 Wout van Aert
2020 Cancelled
2019 Mathieu van der Poel
2018 Michael Valgren
2017 Philippe Gilbert
2016 Enrico Gasparotto
2015 Michal Kwiatkowski
2014 Philippe Gilbert
2022Michal Kwiatkowski
2021 Wout van Aert
2019 Mathieu van der Poel
2018 Michael Valgren
2017 Philippe Gilbert
2016 Enrico Gasparotto
2015 Michal Kwiatkowski
2014 Philippe Gilbert
Course, weather and race times Amstel Gold Race 2024
The 2024 course can be seen as a blueprint of the 2023 one. The organization has again chosen three loops, with one that even heads all the way to Belgium. Then comes the popular loop in Limburg, which includes all the well-known (and often steep) climbs, and finally, we have the final loop, in which the Geulhemmerberg and Bemelerberg are the only two obstacles.
With no less than 33 (!) climbs, it’s a day to be cautious. Popular climbs such as the Eyserbosweg, Keutenberg, and Cauberg are all in the last 45 kilometers, setting the stage for a big spectacle.
The finish has not been at the Cauberg for several years now. Instead, the line is drawn in Berg en Terblijt, where the Bemelerberg plays a crucial role in the final kilometer, which has often led to a sprint among the few remaining contenders. However, based on the participant list, ruling out a sprint finish might be premature (more details on that later).
Climbs
- The Maasberg - 241 km to go - 700 meters - 3.7% average - maximum 10%
- Adsteeg - 220 km to go- 700 meters - 4.7% average - maximum 8%
- Bergseweg - 207 km to go - 2600 meters - 3.4% average - maximum 8.4%
- Korenweg - 203 km to go - 900 meters - 5.7% average - maximum 10.2%
- Nijswillerweg - 198 km to go - 1300 meters - 2.7% average - maximum 5.2%
- Rijksweg N278 from Gulpen - 189 km to go - 3000 meters - 2.9% average - maximum 4.9%
- Wolfsberg - 169 km to go - 800 meters - 4.4% average - maximum 10%
- Loorberg - 165 km to go - 1600 meters - 5.5% average - maximum 9%
- Schweiberg - 154 km to go - 2900 meters - 3.9% average - maximum 10%
- Camerig (west) - 147 km to go - 3100 meters - 4.7% average - maximum 10%
- Drielandenpunt - 135 km to go - 3700 meters - 3.8% average - maximum 9%
- Gemmenicherweg - 130 km to go - 900 meters - 6.4% average - maximum 10%
- Vijlenerbos - 127 km to go - 1800 meters - 5.1% average - maximum 11%
- Eperheide - 118 km to go - 2300 meters - 4.5% average - maximum 10%
- Gulperberg (east) - 109 km to go - 600 meters - 9.8% average - maximum 15%
- Plettenberg - 106 km to go - 1000 meters - 4.2% average - maximum 8%
- Eyserweg - 103 km to go - 2100 meters - 4.4% average - maximum 9%
- Huls - 99 km to go - 1000 meters - 7.7% average - maximum 12%
- Vrakelberg - 94 km to go - 600 meters - 7.7% average - maximum 13%
- Sibbegrubbe - 86 km to go - 2000 meters - 4.1% average - maximum 6%
- Cauberg - 81 km to go - 900 meters - 7% average - maximum 12%
- Geulhemmerweg - 76 km to go - 1000 meters - 6.2 average - maximum 10%
- Heerderberg - 70 km to go - 1800 meters - 3.6% average - maximum 5.9%
- Bemelerberg - 66 km to go - 1200 meters - 4% average - maximum 6%
- Loorberg (2nd time) - 51 km to go - 1600 meters - 5.5% average - maximum 9%
- Gulperberg west - 43 km to go - 1000 meters - 5.8% average - maximum 18%
- Kruisberg - 39 km to go - 800 meters - 8.4% average - maximum 17%
- Eyserbosweg - 37 km to go - 1100 meters - 8.1% average - maximum 16%
- Fromberg - 33 km to go - 1600 meters - 4% average - maximum 9%
- Keutenberg - 28 km to go - 1700 meters - 5.6% average - maximum 22%
- Cauberg (2nd time) - 18 km to go - 900 meters - 7% average - maximum 12%
- Geulhemmerweg (2nd time) - 13 km to go - 1000 meters - 6.2 average - maximum 10%
- Bemelerberg (2nd time) - 7 km to go - 1200 meters - 4% average - maximum 6%
Weather
The forecast for this Sunday in South Limburg is promising, with pleasant weather expected. In Maastricht and the surrounding areas, temperatures are set to reach around 18 degrees Celsius, with a very small chance of rain. It looks like perfect weather for racing.
The forecast for this Sunday in South Limburg is promising, with pleasant weather expected. In Maastricht and the surrounding areas, temperatures are set to reach around 18 degrees Celsius, with a very small chance of rain. It looks like perfect weather for racing.
Times
Start: 10:45 AM
Finish: around 5:00 PM
Finish: around 5:00 PM
Favorites for the Amstel Gold Race 2024
Note: The participant list has not been officially confirmed, so this section may still change.
Of course, Mathieu van der Poel is the top favorite to claim victory in his home country. The world champion is having his best spring ever, with victories in the E3 Saxo Classic, the Tour of Flanders, and Paris-Roubaix. Besides the Amstel Gold Race, Van der Poel also aims to perform well in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, which takes place a week later. But first, the Gold Race, a race he won in spectacular fashion in 2019. Normally, Remco Evenepoel and Wout van Aert would also participate in this race in South Limburg, but well-known circumstances have prevented this. Quinten Hermans is also performing well for the Alpecin-Deceuninck team, as he showed last week in the Basque Country and in the Flèche Brabançonne.
Maximilian Schachmann (BORA-hansgrohe) is finding his form again after a period of radio silence, as seen in his recent performances in the Tour of the Basque Country. This race presents a prime opportunity for him to shine. Speaking of the Basque Country, the talented Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ) demonstrated he is in peak condition. Benoit Cosnefroy (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) is also in excellent shape, having won Paris-Camembert and impressively triumphed in the Flèche Brabançonne, a key lead-up to the Ardennes classics. Matej Mohoric (Bahrain Victorious) was forced to miss his dream race, Paris-Roubaix. If he recovers in time, he'll be a formidable force in the hills.
If Mohoric has fully recuperated, he is a serious contender
Tom Pidcock (INEOS Grenadiers) made a surprise appearance at Paris-Roubaix, finishing seventeenth. He thrives in the terrain around Maastricht, making him a strong candidate without further ado. Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek), who showed his prowess in the Basque Country, proved last year that he's well-suited for the Ardennes classics. Keep an eye on him!
Speaking of the Basque Country, it was Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) who took the overall win. The talented Catalan is versatile: time-trialing, punching, climbing, and handling hills are all within his wheelhouse. This mix could take him far in the South of Limburg. Within the UAE squad, they also have Marc Hirschi and Brandon McNulty as possible players. Maxim Van Gils (Lotto-Dstny), finished consistently in the top ten in his first classics of this year. The Belgian skipped the Flèche Brabançonne to fully focus on the upcoming trio. Michael Matthews (Jayco-AlUla) was on point in Milan-San Remo and has shown strong performances since. He's always a contender not to be underestimated.
Lastly, let's talk about some dark horses. These riders may not be the top favorites, but it wouldn't be surprising to see them excel. Included are Axel Laurance (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Fred Wright (Bahrain Victorious), Sergio Higuita (BORA-hansgrohe), Valentin Madouas, Stefan Küng (both Groupama-FDJ), the in-form Dylan Teuns (Israel-Premier Tech), Andreas Kron (Lotto-Dstny), Alex Aranburu (Movistar), Samuele Battistella (Astana Qazaqstan Team), and Toms Skujins (Lidl-Trek).
Finally, let's mention a few long shots. These riders aren't necessarily seen as top contenders, but it wouldn't be surprising if they perform exceptionally well. We're talking about Axel Laurance (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Fred Wright (Bahrain Victorious), Sergio Higuita (BORA-hansgrohe), Valentin Madouas, Stefan Küng (both Groupama-FDJ), in-form Dylan Teuns (Israel-Premier Tech), Andreas Kron (Lotto-Dstny), Alex Aranburu (Movistar), Samuele Battistella (Astana Qazaqstan Team), and Toms Skujins (Lidl-Trek).
Some seasoned pros are also expected to perform well, though they're more likely aiming for a respectable finish rather than outright victory. Consider Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech), Ion Izagirre (Cofidis), Bauke Mollema (Lidl-Trek), and Warren Barguil (dsm-firmenich PostNL).
Who are the favorites for the Amstel Gold Race 2024 according to IDLProCycling.com?
Top favorite: Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck)
Outsiders: Benoit Cosnefroy (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), Tom Pidcock (INEOS Grenadiers), Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek), Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) and Michael Matthews (Jayco-AlUla)
Long shots: Maxim Van Gils (Lotto-Dstny), Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost), Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ), Axel Laurance, Quinten Hermans (all Alpecin-Deceuninck), Matej Mohoric (Bahrain Victorious), Maximilian Schachmann (BORA-hansgrohe), Valentin Madouas, (Groupama-FDJ) and Dylan Teuns (Israel-Premier Tech)
Outsiders: Benoit Cosnefroy (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), Tom Pidcock (INEOS Grenadiers), Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek), Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) and Michael Matthews (Jayco-AlUla)
Long shots: Maxim Van Gils (Lotto-Dstny), Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost), Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ), Axel Laurance, Quinten Hermans (all Alpecin-Deceuninck), Matej Mohoric (Bahrain Victorious), Maximilian Schachmann (BORA-hansgrohe), Valentin Madouas, (Groupama-FDJ) and Dylan Teuns (Israel-Premier Tech)
Data powered by FirstCycling.com
TV coverage of the Amstel Gold Race 2024
The Amstel Gold Race will be broadcast live this Sunday on NOS (NPO1), Sporza (VRT1), and Eurosport. On the latter platform, the race can be followed both on Eurosport 1 and online channels (Eurosport.nl and Discovery+).
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Latest Comments
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024