In a day marked by unexpected turns and thrilling finishes, Marianne Vos claimed her second Amstel Gold Race title in a dramatic fashion. The race, which was significantly shortened due to an unfortunate incident involving a police officer behind the peloton, saw Vos snatch victory from Lorena Wiebes, who celebrated much too soon at the finish line.
The Women’s WorldTour peloton faced a challenging course through the Limburg hills, known for their relentless climbs and descents, making the Amstel Gold Race a coveted title among the cycling elite since its re-introduction to the calendar. The race began in Maastricht with notable riders like defending champion Demi Vollering, world champion Lotte Kopecky, and Dutch hopefuls Vos and Shirin van Anrooij at the start.
The competition heated up quickly with numerous riders attempting to break away early in the race. However, it was Anne Knijnenburg who initially managed to create a significant gap, though her lead was short-lived as the peloton regrouped before the climb of the Adsteeg. This prompted Quinty Schoens to launch a solo effort, followed by a joint breakaway with Canadian Clara Emond, but their attempt was cut short due to the race being neutralised to allow emergency services to attend to the incident on the course which forced an hour-long neutralisation after 49km.
After the delay, the race resumed from the finish line in Valkenburg with just three laps remaining, comprising of 55 kilometres around Valkenburg, including the gruelling Cauberg, Geulhemmerberg, and Bemelerberg climbs. Despite the truncated distance, the race was fiercely contested, with recent Brabantse Pijl winner Elisa Longo Borghini making significant moves on the Cauberg to string out the peloton. However, her efforts did not result in a successful breakaway.
In the final stages, an attack by Yara Kastelijn, Ricarda Bauernfeind, and Eva van Agt saw them gaining a minute over the peloton. Despite their cooperation, the main group, driven by strong efforts from teams like EF Education-Cannondale, gradually reeled them in as the race approached its climax on and after the Cauberg.
The race culminated in a dramatic sprint finish, with Vollering setting a blistering pace for Wiebes, who looked set to win. However, a premature celebration by Wiebes allowed Vos to execute a perfect jump in the final stretch, overtaking Wiebes to win by a mere half-wheel. Vos, visibly moved by the day’s events, reflected on the race’s chaotic nature and her sympathy for Wiebes.
Wiebes, devastated by her early celebration mistake, expressed her disappointment but recognised it as a learning experience. Despite the blunder, she remained grateful for her team’s support and looked forward to future races.
The Amstel Gold Race once again proved to be a spectacle of strategy and strength, with Vos’s experience and tactical savvy earning her a memorable victory amidst a day of high drama and intense competition.
2024 Amstel Gold Race Women result
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