After the Flandrian classics, dominated by the world champion, the Amstel Gold Race opens the short period of the Ardennes on Sunday.
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A home triumph? The Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel is the favorite for this first Ardennes classic, which is run almost entirely in the Netherlands. After his triumphs at the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, the world champion is aiming for a historic hat-trick on home soil.
Long 253.6 kilometers and punctuated by 33 short but steep climbs, today’s route is perfectly suited to Raymond Poulidor’s grandson. If the outgoing winner, Tadej Pogacar, misses out this year, many outsiders have come to spoil the party: Tom Pidcock, Marc Hirschi, Ben Healy, Matej Mohoric.
On the French side, no Julian Alaphilippe but three good cards: Benoit Cosnefroy, winner of the Flèche Brabançonne on Wednesday, as well as the riders of Groupama-FDJ, Valentin Madouas and Romain Grégoire, winner of the Tour du Pays Basque on April 5.
Follow the race live.
