The Classics

['Dale]

Btw this was picked up after a crash scene during P-R

 

:-/

 

['Dale]

That'll warm me up:

 

Climbs of the 2014 Amstel Gold Race:

1. Slingerberg (1.3km, 4.8%)

2. Adsteeg (700m, 4.5%)

3. Lange Raarberg (1.8km, 3.9%)

4. Bergseweg (2.6km, 3.3%)

5. Sibbergrubbe (1.8km, 3.9%)

6. Cauberg (1.2km, 5.8%)

7. Geulhemmerberg (1km, 6.2%)

8. Wolfsberg (800m, 4.4%)

9. Loorberg (1.5km, 5.5%)

10. Schweibergerweg (2.9km, 3.9%)

11. Camerig (4.3km, 3.8%)

12. Drielandenpunt (3.7km, 3.7%)

13. Gemmenich (900m, 6.4%)

14. Vijlenerbos (1.8km, 5.1%)

15. Eperheide (2.3km, 4.1%)

16. Gulpenerberg (700m, 8.1%)

17. Plettenberg (1km, 4.2%)

18. Eijserweg (2.2km, 4.3%)

19. Huls (1km, 7.7%)

20. Vrakelberg (700m, 7.9%)

21. Sibbergrubbe (2.1km, 4.1%)

22. Cauberg (1.2km, 5.8%)

23. Geulhemmerberg (1km, 6.2%)

24. Bemelerberg (900m, 5%)

25. Loorberg (1.5km, 5.5%)

26. Gulpenerberg (700m, 8.1%)

27. Kruisberg (800m, 7.5%)

28. Eijserbosweg (1.1km, 8.1%)

29. Fromberg (1.6km, 4%)

30. Keutenberg (700m, 9.4%)

31. Cauberg (1.2km, 5.8%)

32. Geulhemmerberg (1km, 6.2%)

33. Bemelerberg (900m, 5%)

34. Cauberg (1.2km, 5.8%)

 

 

Read more at http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/04/analysis/long-last-amstel-arrives-climbers_324596#zCefOPKmujYyi1id.99

['Dale]

There are some 34 climbs on a parcours that has barely a metre of flat and, by some estimates, a bend every 400 metres, as well as - one assumes - the highest density of traffic islands per square metre in Western Europe.

['Dale]

Unlike the Tour of Flanders, for instance, the climbing starts quickly at Amstel Gold Race and barely lets up thereafter. The first of the 34 categorised climbs, the Slingerberg, comes after just 9.4 kilometres, and the first of four ascensions of the final climb of the Cauberg is on the menu after 54.1km.

['Dale]

The second passage over the Cauberg and through the finish line is after 162 kilometres. The Eyserbosweg, with 37 kilometres remaining, traditionally signals the beginning of the race's endgame, but there are still six more climbs and two more blasts up the Cauberg to come. The penultimate Cauberg ascent is just 20km from the finish, and is followed in quick succession by the Geulhemmerberg and Bemelerberg, before the final haul up the Cauberg.

['Dale]

 

For ten editions, from 2003 to 2012, the finish line was at the summit of the Cauberg, which ultimately lead to a series of predictable finales. There were exceptions to the rule, of course, but typically, the 250km race boiled down to a short, sharp battle of wits and power output on the climb. And, much like a six-pack of the title sponsors’ product, we now knew exactly what we were getting every time. It wasn’t terrible but by the tenth serving in 2012, it certainly was becoming a little bit, er, samey.

['Dale]

Last year, the organisers opted to alter the flavour of the course. In a mirror of the Valkenburg Worlds circuit of 1998 and 2012, the finish line was shifted to 1.8 kilometres past the top of the Cauberg, making for a slightly more subtle finale. Rather than brewing slowly to a crescendo on the Cauberg itself, there were options for riders to fizzle into action before or even after the climb.

['Dale]

 

Roman Kreuziger chose the former course of action twelve months ago, and his strength – combined with the stop-start nature of the chase over the top of the Cauberg – helped him to victory. The question as the curtain rises on the 2014 edition, then, is whether more riders will be tempted to go on the offensive from distance, or if the Cauberg will be the springboard for victory as it was for Philippe Gilbert on the same finale at the Worlds in 2012.

['Dale]

The peloton are out of the neutralised zone, incidentally, and the pace is already frenetic as 23 teams desperately look to carry out their directeurs sportifs' instruction and place a man in the day's early break.

['Dale]

249 of 251 kms completed

['Dale]

More than 13,000 feet in climbing

What's that in metres?

['Dale]

 

Eight riders, including Lotto-Belisol's Pim Ligthart, have established a small lead over the peloton and two more riders are apparently attempting to bridge across.

['Dale]

There have been plenty of early accelerations, but so far no breakaway group has succeeded in establishing an early advantage.

['Dale]

One man who will be keeping his powder dry for one, potentially decisive acceleration in the finale is Philippe Gilbert (BMC). The Belgian has appeared laboured for the majority of the two seasons since his annus mirabilis of 2011, although like Samson, he somehow summoned up the strength to rip clear on the Cauberg to claim the 2012 Worlds road race. The edifice didn't quite crumble all around him afterwards, but Gilbert's year in the rainbow jersey was certainly a trying one.

['Dale]

There are nine riders in a group with Pim Lighthart (Lotto-Belisol), which is clear of the peloton and has established a four-minute lead by the foot of the day's second climb, the Adsteeg.

['Dale]

236 kms to go

 

Apparently the break is 10 mins ahead