2021 Amstel Gold Race Preview
We’re on to the Ardennes, starting with the Amstel Gold Race. If you like to theme your beers with the bike race you’re watching, then this race makes it very easy. Though be warned that it’s basically Dutch Miller Lite.
Last year’s race ended up canceled due to Covid-19. As a result of the pandemic, this year takes place on a shortened, closed circuit that’s likely going to have a different feel to it. But at least it’s going ahead.
Where to Watch
Europe: Eurosport & GCN
USA, Canada: Flobikes
Belgium: Sporza
Netherlands: NOS.nl, NPO1, L1mburg
Italy: Rai Sport
France: France 3
Spain: EITB
Australia: SBS
Africa: SuperSport
Denmark/Norway: TV2 Sumo
Route
This year’s route takes place on a Covid-friendly (or, we suppose, Covid-unfriendly) closed circuit away from spectators. This means the famous loop through the Valkenburg Nursing Home and Ward for Immunocompromised Orphans has sadly been removed.
Men do 12 laps, women do seven laps. Loads of climbs. Hilly bit 6km or 7km from the finish. All very straightforward.
It’s a shorter course than usual, opening the competition right up. Anything could happen. Probably only things that involve people racing bicycles though.
Startlist
2021 Amstel Gold Race startlist (external site)
Ones to Watch
Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck–Quick-Step) – Normally we lead off with last year’s winner, but there was no race last year, and 2019’s winner–Mathieu van der Poel–is sitting this race out. So instead let’s begin with a man in fine form, who’s also just signed a great new contract. He’s well suited to this race and finished fourth in 2019. The first French winner of Amstel Gold since Hinault in 1981? We’re feeling optimistic, so we’ll say “Ouais.”
Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) – Were it not for the cancelation of the Paris-Roubaix, Wout would be watching this one on TV. Yet somehow he’s now a favorite. Sure, his best finish in this race is 54th place, but we think this one suits him well. He’s not been looking too sharp of late, but we expect to see him up there in the closing stages of the race.
Max Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) – The Amstel Gold’s reinvention as an unpredictable race brings with it a lot of potential contenders. Schachmann must surely be among them. The two-time Paris-Nice winner is looking sharp and is focused on the Ardennes Classics.
Marc Hirschi (UAE Team Emirates) – There’s a reason this feature is called Ones to Watch and not Ones Who’ll Win. After a dramatic off-season that saw him suddenly and unexpectedly depart his Sunweb Team (now DSM), only to join UAE, and then disappear from all public life altogether while speculation ran rampant… Hirschi is back. He has raced for his new team, briefly, but this will be his first major appointment. His form looks crap, his head’s in outer space, and everyone’s got a theory about what on earth his winter was all about. One to watch, then.