Velominati Super Prestige: Amstel Gold Race 2014

Jan Raas, 5 time winner, not drinking Amstel Gold. photo-Peters, Hans / Anefo
Jan Raas, 5 time winner of Amstel, not drinking Amstel Gold. photo-Peters, Hans / Anefo

The Amstel Gold Race, 251 km from Maastricht to Valkenburg, the hard way. There appears to be no flat sections longer than ten meters. There are thirty-four mean little climbs to ruin the legs. We have moved on from the real Spring Classics. There is no rest in this VSP; The Ronde and Roubaix were amazing but we must continue. Legs that are smoked from those races are not lining up for Amstel. We are moving into Phil Gil territory. Regard the former winners from 2004 to 2008.

  • 2008 | CUNEGO Damiano
  • 2007 | SCHUMACHER Stefan
  • 2006 | SCHLECK Fränk
  • 2005 | DI LUCA Danilo
  • 2004 | REBELLIN Davide

Obviously, having the right pot belge mix working for these climbs paid off back then, especially for Schumacher, not a rider who would have been an obvious pick for any race. I’m not implying Phil Gil is on the juice but I am implying this is a race for the powerhouse speed climbers, like him or Valverde. Again, not implying, just saying.

For those who wished to squander a pick on Gesink (I’m looking at you Strack), you have been saved. He is out. Maybe Laurens ten Dam, Velominati Rules reader will represent the home country and win it all, or not. Here is the start list. Veel succes!

The points from the Amstel Gold VSP count towards the overall prizes. So check the start list, review the VSP Scoring Guidelines and get your picks in by the time the countdown clock goes to zero at midnight PDT on Sunday the 20th. If you think we mapped one of your picks wrong, use the dispute system and we’ll review it. Also remember to be precise enough in your description so we know which rider you mean; in other words, if you enter “Martin”, we will use our discretion (read: wild guess) to decide if you mean Tony or Dan – and that choice will not be negotiable once the the countdown clock goes to zero, so be sure to give yourself enough time.

Don’t forget we’ve got three major prizes for the season-long VSP:

First place overall wins a Veloforma Strada iR Velominati Edition frame in addition to the customary VSP winner’s VVorkshop Apron

Second place overall wins a set of hand built CR Wheelworks Arenberg wheelset in a custom Velominati paint scheme laced to orange Chris King hubs. (CR Wheelworks is Café Roubaix’s new wheel goods brand.)

Third place is you’re fired or overall wins a full Velominati V-Kit with accompanying custom orange Bont Vaypor+ road shoes.

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252 Replies to “Velominati Super Prestige: Amstel Gold Race 2014”

  1. Watching Kwiatkowski ride away from Sagan with such ease back in the Strade Bianche got me to thinking about his chances in the Ardennes. Since then I’ve only seen him get stronger…hopefully he keeps it up tomorrow, I could really use the points.

  2. Whoops, didn’t pay enough attention to realize picks now closed at midnight. Just call me LA Delgado. Oh well, here are my picks just for fun: 1-Kwiatkowski, 2-Philbert, 3-JRod, 4-Valdirty, 5-Betancur.

  3. Crap! Good excuse tho’, 4 stages into this Tour over Easter http://www.pnp.org.nz/events/wellington-region-easter-tour-2014/

    “Only” 120km road stage to go, legs are toast, first ever ITT today, 16km after a 123km road race with almost 1900m of climbing. Hurt so good.

  4. Fuck it, too late for the VSP.  For posterity, here are my picks:

    Matthews

    Gilbert

    Gerrans

    Valverde

    Slagter

    Fuck it.

  5. Geraint Thomas also gone. Glad I fourth guessed Rodriguez from 1st to 5th. Race is simmering nicely. Now to see if the 2nd and 3rd guess removals of Iglinsky and Fitschleck stab me in the back.

  6. Oh wow, I’ve spent the past few years watching via online streaming on a laptop. Last year the father-in-law gave us a 23″ t.v. monitor and an apple tv box. I mirrored my computer to that and thought I was in heaven.

    Well, we’re visiting the in-laws for a spring holiday visit and I’m now watching BeIN sports on his 60″ HD t.v. It’s fucking bonkers how awesome this looks! Even if I didn’t like cycling, I’d think this was awesome. The fans, the green countryside, the fans, the horses, the climbs.

  7. Well, that was rather excellent. Vanendert disrupted an otherwise near-psychic top 4 picks. GODDAMNIT! he wrote, grinning.

  8. Watching Gilbert on those punchy finishes is always amazing.  You see him go and can be pretty much guaranteed he’s got it.

  9. @Rob

    Great race, fantastic finish!

    Jeeesh, Rob.  Nothing like throwing the pressure on early!  Guy finally wins something and you want him to win the Triple again!

    That said, He’ll be topping my VSP list for the rest of the week!

  10. @Buck Rogers

    @Rob

    Great race, fantastic finish!

    Jeeesh, Rob. Nothing like throwing the pressure on early! Guy finally wins something and you want him to win the Triple again!

    That said, He’ll be topping my VSP list for the rest of the week!

    He didn’t look 2011-ish, but he still looked pretty damn impressive as he took off. It’s hard to bet against that…

  11. @Steampunk

    @Buck Rogers

    @Rob

    Great race, fantastic finish!

    Jeeesh, Rob. Nothing like throwing the pressure on early! Guy finally wins something and you want him to win the Triple again!

    That said, He’ll be topping my VSP list for the rest of the week!

    He didn’t look 2011-ish, but he still looked pretty damn impressive as he took off. It’s hard to bet against that…

    You know that I am just giving you crap, right???

    Yes, I will be placing him at the top of the VSP for the next two for sure.

    Also, a Japanese rider in the top ten.  A first for a Spring classic???  If so, COOL!!!

  12. Well, that was a great race!  Shit the bed with my picks but enjoyed the contest regardless!

    Gilbert!

  13. @Buck Rogers

    @Steampunk

    @Buck Rogers

    @Rob

    Great race, fantastic finish!

    Jeeesh, Rob. Nothing like throwing the pressure on early! Guy finally wins something and you want him to win the Triple again!

    That said, He’ll be topping my VSP list for the rest of the week!

    He didn’t look 2011-ish, but he still looked pretty damn impressive as he took off. It’s hard to bet against that…

    You know that I am just giving you crap, right???

    Yes, I will be placing him at the top of the VSP for the next two for sure.

    Also, a Japanese rider in the top ten. A first for a Spring classic??? If so, COOL!!!

    Whoops!  I’m mixing up my 200-on-100 Brethren!  Sorry about that Rob and Steamy!!!

  14. @Buck Rogers  no worries,  got what you were saying. Aren’t there two triples here? Theepeat of the Amstel and the possible of winning this and the next 2 races?

    hey Steampunk have you guys thawed out yet??

  15. Not the best for points but a great race and some amazing effort. I look forward to seeing kwiatkowski in the future.

  16. @Ron

    Oh wow, I’ve spent the past few years watching via online streaming on a laptop. Last year the father-in-law gave us a 23″³ t.v. monitor and an apple tv box. I mirrored my computer to that and thought I was in heaven.

    Well, we’re visiting the in-laws for a spring holiday visit and I’m now watching BeIN sports on his 60″³ HD t.v. It’s fucking bonkers how awesome this looks! Even if I didn’t like cycling, I’d think this was awesome. The fans, the green countryside, the fans, the horses, the climbs.

    Isn’t the quality of the stream awful, especially for full screen? I’d love to find a way to stream better quality images of the races.

  17. Deadly finishing from Giblets there but he won’t have it all his own way this week. He seems to have the Cauberg on speed dial but it’s no Mur de Huy. Position at the bottom turn makes the selection at Amstel but the Mur’s length and grade dishes out more than enough to sort the wheat from the chaff. Keep betting on your power climbers this Wed.

  18. @Rob

    @Buck Rogers no worries, got what you were saying. Aren’t there two triples here? Theepeat of the Amstel and the possible of winning this and the next 2 races?

    hey Steampunk have you guys thawed out yet??

    And don’t forget the Tripels.

    Sun is shining, but we’re still in bitterly chilly single-digits. I’ve been out, fighting a lot of potholes and lots of enduring grit and grime on the sides of the roads. It’s been a slow and late start to the season, but spring is on its way (we’ve been promised 20c tomorrow, so I’m naturally in meetings all day). I trust Florida is treating you well?

  19. @DCR

    I definitely think it will be Kwiatkowki’s race in the future when Valverde and Gilbert are a bit older.  He is a beast on those sharp gradients.

  20. @Steampunk the Tripels make it a trifecta! Florida is the Bomb I hope I never leave except for some great cogals. Tan lines look tatoo’d and I am almost fit enough to hang with the big huge gonzo group that does 50 km at 45 kph.

    Hills on the other hand are distant memory, I am nervous about going back up to NY in July, Rule #5 will keep me honest…

    Glad you see the end in sight, meetings are there to be ditched, no?

  21. Here’s an album of photos from today… I was right there on the Cauberg when Gilbert made his winning move, but at the time I was so excited to see Gerrans going for it that I was too busy yelling CARNSIMONGOYOUGOODTHING that I kind of missed the big moment.

    I’ve seen some commentators making a thing of Gilbert big-ringing the last climb of the Cauberg.  Looking through my shots from the day, I can see he was in the big dog for all three of the times I saw him go up, when most everyone else was in the little ring.  He was ready.

    Great day out, too.  Top crowds; beautiful, quaint little town; they’ve a lot of love for cycling and are a great people, the Dutch!

  22. @andrew WOW! What a treat. What a blast you musta had today. When the group was flying down the hill I guess in to the town and the the last climb it’s amazing to think that anyone could make a break. Flying! That must have been manic being there in person. Cheers!

  23. @Gianni

    Rebellin in 13th. He didn’t DNF.

    My main Man!  Probably has a blood bag hanging right now getting ready for Fleche!

  24. Wow, My boy won today, I almost changed my top spot to kwaiatoski, but have lost faith in OMQS to bring it home, i couldn’t do it. Great racing by BMC , good to Phillipe back to kicking ass, I see he is not afraid of a pint of beer either, disappointed in Gerrans beer drinking performance.

  25. Dang, thought about picking Gilbert after the Flemish Arrow the other day….   What a hammerfest til the final climb!  Kwiat panicked for sure and chased Sanchez, and that was the best of him.  Lots of boys rocking that finale, but some predictable ones on the line for the placings. On to the Fleche Wallone!

  26. Great to see Fast Phil back. And kudos to BMC, that was a faultless team ride.

  27. Woohoo! Finally I get my picks close to being the right order!

  28. @Daccordi Rider

    Great to see Fast Phil back. And kudos to BMC, that was a faultless team ride.

    Agreed – Allan Peiper seems to be doing a good job at BMC and they made the most of having credible alternative threats like Sanchez and Avermaet. They definitely earned their cut.

    It shows that it isn’t enough to just throw contracts at the top riders, you have to manage them as well.

  29. @Steampunk

    @Buck Rogers

    @Rob

    Great race, fantastic finish!

    Jeeesh, Rob. Nothing like throwing the pressure on early! Guy finally wins something and you want him to win the Triple again!

    That said, He’ll be topping my VSP list for the rest of the week!

    He didn’t look 2011-ish, but he still looked pretty damn impressive as he took off. It’s hard to bet against that…

    GIlbert is looking the business again isn’t he, especially since Sagan, as his heir apparent has been marked out of the most recent big races he’s been in. It’s about time BMC put some decent performances together given their roster that weren’t based around overly hopeful neo-pros or opportunists. (Apart from Cuddles, of course).
    All we need now is for Thor to bring his a-game back after 2 years in the wilderness.

  30. How damn cool to have an embedded Follower there to capture, and share!, the action. Very cool, Andrew, very cool.I hope to someday attend a big, PRO race. Richmond is going to be awesome next year, but I don’t think it’ll have quite the atmosphere of a Classics race in Europe.

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