Amstel Gold Race 2017: Gilbert bests Kwiatkowski in sprint-à-deux

At 261 kilometres, the Amstel Gold Race takes in 35 sharp hills. Gilbert and Kwiatkowski forge clear from the front group on the last climb, Bemelerberg. Four-time winner Gilbert outsprints one-time winner Kwiat on the line. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results Amstel Gold Race 2017

1. Philippe Gilbert (bel)
2. Michal Kwiatkowski (pol) s.t.
3. Michael Albasini (swi) + 0.10
4. Nathan Haas (aus) s.t.
5. José Joaquin Rojas (spa) s.t.
6. Sergio Henao (col) s.t.
7. Ion Izagirre (spa) + 0.14
8. Michael Gogl (aut)) + 1.10
9. Sonny Colbrelli (ita) + 1.11
10. Michael Matthews (aus) s.t.

Race report
Twelve riders race to a lead of more than 8 minutes – Lars Boom, Stijn Vandenbergh, Kenneth Van Rooy, Peter Vanspeybrouck, Tim Ariesen, Brendan Canty, Johann Van Zyl, Vincenzo Albanese, Nikita Stalnov, Fabien Grellier, Mads Würtz Schmidt, and Michal Paluta.

Moments before tackling Kruisberg, with 40 kms left, Grellier is the last escapee to be reeled in. On the climb itself Benoot attacks with Gilbert, Henao (Sergio), Lindeman, Albasini and Haas on his wheel. Izagirre (Ion) and Rojas chase them down, while the main group is shattered.

Benoot is dropped after a mechanical and then his team mate Wellens attacks in the chasing group, yet he can’t bridge the gap. Former winners Kreuziger and Gasparotto hit the tarmac.

Kwiatkowski re-joins the front group, while Lindeman can’t follow the pace. Van Avermaet, Valverde, Felline, Wellens, Jungels, Barguil and Costa (Rui) are chasing.

When tackling the last climb up Cauberg the first chasers are half a minute in arrears, while a group with Matthews and Colbrelli is 1 minute down on the leaders.

On the last climb, Bemelerberg, Kwiatkowski and Gilbert go on the attack and the duo forges on to head into the ultimate kilometre with a comfortable lead. Kwiatkowski aims to suprise Gilbert with a stinging acceleration, but he can’t hold on due to a nasty headwind. The Walloon gets back to power to his fourth win in the Amstel Gold Race.

Check out the route of the 2017 Amstel Gold Race.

Amstel Gold Race 2017: Route maps, height profiles, and more

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Philippe GilbertMichal Kwiatkowski


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