The Classics

[cruzr]

You have a link to stream 'Dale?

['Dale]

 

The weather forecast for this Easter Weekend in Limburg predicted rain, but instead it looks set to be a dry and sunny Amstel Gold Race. The temperature is currently around 15 degrees, while there is a stiff cross-tailwind up the Cauberg to finish line.

Edited April 20, 2014 by ' Dale

['Dale]

It's interesting to see 19-year-old Matej Mohorič (Cannondale) in this early break. The Slovenian rider has fond memories of racing in Limburg, of course. He claimed the junior world road race title here in 2012 when he held off Australia's Caleb Ewan to take the win.

['Dale]

 

The escapees are Alexey Lutsenko (Astana), Matej Mohoric (Cannondale), Pim Ligthart (Lotto Belisol), Manuel Belletti (Androni Venezuela), Pirmin Lang (IAM Cycling), Preben Van Hecke (Topsport Vlaanderen), James Vanlandschoot (Wanty Gobert Groupe) and Nicola Boem (Bardiani CSF), and after the third climb, the Lange Raarberg, they have a lead of ten minutes over the main peloton.

['Dale]

Rory Sutherland (Tinkoff-Saxo) and Christophe Riblon (Ag2r-La Mondiale) have bridged across to the leaders, incidentally, and the ten-man group has an advantage of some 11:10 over the main peloton.

['Dale]

215 kms to go

[Bonus]

Gonna be a tough day in the office for them.

[rock]

Any local tv coverage?

['Dale]

After the day's fourth climb, the Bergeseweg, the ten leaders have stretched their gap over the main peloton out to 13:45.

 

Massive advantage!

['Dale]

Not too many of the big favourites are represented by a teammate in this break, although Ag2r-La Mondiale have done well to get a rider of Riblon's calibre in there to protect the interests of Carlos Betancur. The Colombian can also rely on Romain Bardet for support in the finale

['Dale]

210 kms to go

['Dale]

I reckon OPQS's Kwiatkowski is the favourite

 

Then there's Gilbert

Defender Kreuziger, who really surprised me

Betancur, really showing form this year

 

Who else?

['Dale]

Any local tv coverage?

 

Nope dope

;-(

 

I think LBL

['Dale]

 

The escapees continue to hold a sizeable advantage over the main peloton. The gap now stands at 13:45 as they approach the Sibbergrubbe before then heading towards the Cauberg for the first time.

['Dale]

.

Edited April 20, 2014 by ' Dale

['Dale]

BMC are the team currently leading the chase in the main peloton, but Philippe Gilbert's men won't want to take the weight of the entire race upon their shoulders. Ag2r and Astana are absolved of duty, but the likes of Movistar, Belkin, Garmin-Sharp and Katusha will be expected to make a contribution as the afternoon wears on.