Who’s got Gasparotto? How about Vanendert? Okay, maybe we can’t predict the results of every race. The Amstel Gold Race ended with a surprise victor as Enrico Gasparotto had enough left in the tank to surpass favorites such as Peter Sagan and Philippe Gilbert. Despite the nearly successful breakaway attempt of Oscar Friere, when the group of 20 some chasers hit the foot of the Cauberg it seemed as though the race was playing out just as we had expected it to. Gilbert went early and quickly got a bit of a gap. No surprise. Still sticking to the script, a few of the other favorites, Sagan and Cunego included, took up the chase. Then it got weird. Cunego forgot how to ride a bike for a second and diggered half way up the hill taking a Sky rider with him. A few riders got slowed up by that. Friere was stronger than we thought and this forced the chasers to go earlier and harder than they wanted to. It became apparent that Gilbert didn’t have it and Sagan came around, followed by Jelle Vanendert as well as the eventual winner Gasparotto. Sagan blew up with 10 meters to go and had to sit up. The former Italian national champ didn’t hesitate to blow by him for the victory. It was an exciting finish. I can’t decide if my favorite part was when immediately after Cunego slammed into Petr-Norhaug he popped up and did some Italian gestures at him like “what’s your problem” or if it was when Peanut Butter and Jelle Vanendert pounded his handlebars after he came in second, it wasn’t that close dude, also you are Jelle Vanendert. In the end, we must give it up for Gasparotto. A great ride by the Italian, probably the biggest of his career. In all fairness he was 3rd last year and he shouldn’t really be considered a surprise winner. However, when you look at the riders he beat you can’t help but be surprised. It was a good race and a nice start to the Ardennes season if for no other reason than Patrick didn’t get any points. But others did. Luke (Sagan 3rd=50pts), Greg (Voekler 5th, Gilbert 6th, Mollema 10th=54pts) and Mikey (Sanchez 7th=14pts). Not huge points, but some nice results.
Don’t forget, Trentino starts tomorrow and Fleche Walloon is on Wednesday.
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