In 2017, the route of the Amstel Gold Race was overhauled to favour attackers. It turned out perfectly, as the race serves compelling finales since then. The narrow roads in the final lap are very attacker-friendly.
That development reached its zenit in 2019, when Mathieu van der Poel ambushed Julian Alaphilippe and Jakob Fuglsang on the finishing straight. The Dutchman led a group seemingly from nowhere back to the front of the race before sprinting ahead to take an incredible victory.
Following hiatus-year 2020, last year’s edition came down to the final lap. Kwiatkowski jumped clear from an elite group and Pidcock, Van Aert and Schachmann went on the counter-attack as soon as the Pole was brought back. Van Aert won the photo finish sprint ahead of Pidcock, while Matthews sprinted to fourth place.
In 2020, Van der Poel succeeded Michael Valgren (2018) and Philippe Gilbert (2017), who bested Roman Kreuziger and Michal Kwiatkowski, respectively, in two-up sprints after late attacks.
Four former winners line-up this year: Mathieu van der Poel (2019), Michael Valgren (2018), Philippe Gilbert (2017, 2014, 2011, 2010), and Michal Kwiatkowski (2015).
Favourites 2022 Amstel Gold Race
***** Tom Pidcock, Mathieu van der Poel
**** Marc Hirschi, Søren Kragh Andersen, Michael Matthews
*** Dylan Teuns, Michal Kwiatkowski, Tom Dumoulin, Tim Wellens
** Dylan van Baarle, Andrea Bagioli, Benoît Cosnefroy, Matej Mohoric
* Jakob Fuglsang, Michael Valgren, Kasper Asgreen, Valentin Madouas, Anthony Turgis